Legit Boss looks good but tactics key

Whether the tongue tie did the trick the second time around for LEGIT BOSS, or MAMMA MIA simply blew up in the stretch run - after ripping splits of 23.1, 46.1, 59.3 and 1:13.3 in the seven-furlong Pick 3 Super Challenge - will certainly be answered at a mile in Tuesday's Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.

MAMMA MIA had convincingly beaten MOJITO, THALITA and LEGIT BOSS in the Cash Pot Trophy at six furlongs with no matching speed to take her off the bridle. However, speed could have been her undoing in the Pick 3 Super Challenge, shooting to the lead in an attempt to slip AWESOME ANTHONY, only to be left winded when LEGIT BOSS came calling inside the final half-furlong.

Running for the second time in a tongue tie, LEGIT BOSS straightened widest in fifth, four lengths off MAMMA MIA. LEGIT BOSS knocked off three by the time the furlong pole came up, and was two in front at the wire.

It could be that seven furlongs exposed MAMMA MIA's stamina limitations in the Pick 3. However, a more restrained ride, with no AWESOME ANTHONY around to force the pace, could spell trouble for her slower rivals out the mile chute, having stayed on for second after LEGIT BOSS overhauled her.

LEGIT BOSS is bred to get the distance being the daughter of Jamaica Oaks runner-up, Bilingual, who also finished second in the 1000 Guineas behind Triple Crown winner She's A Maneater.

LEGIT BOSS ran erratically when fitted with the tongue tie for the Cash Pot, finishing down the track behind MAMMA MIA. However, she was smooth as silk on her return, proving six lengths better than MAMMA MIA in the stretch run.

The colt MOJITO cannot be ruled out as a party-crasher, having impressed in blinkers and tongue tie at six furlongs after back-to-back losses against MAMMA MIA. MOJITO won in a decent 1:14.0, peeling off from rivals in a 58.4 split.

Returning with lasix added, MOJITO appears improved at exercise and could upstage the fillies especially if they decide to go crazy on the lead down the backstretch. The Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes could very well come down to jockeys' tactics and game plans.