KINGSTON, Jamaica – Six-time champion jockey Omar 'Hot' Walker dominated the 10-race card at Caymanas today (July 18) when he posted his first triple in many race days.
Walker had to conjure all his patience, skill, and character to land his triple, Fresh Cash in the second, Fearless Abi in the ninth, and then the cap came in the form of Shepanza in the tenth.
Before his win on Fearless Abi, Walker suffered two blows as he lost in close finishes on Coralando beaten by Robert Halledeen on Graydon. In the race before, Walker just missed out on Shauna Cruise losing to Anthony Thomas on Bigman Union.
Under a tactically brilliant ride from jockey Dane Nelson, Universal Boss proved too strong for rivals in the top-rated $1 million Non-Restricted Overnight Allowance event travelling five furlongs (1,000m) straight.
Running from the number one draw, Universal Boss scored by a neck over Peking Cruz (Dane Dawkins) and Nuclear Thunder (Christopher Mamdeen) in 59.1.
Rojorn Di Pilot (Omar Walker) and Peking Cruz showed good speed at the off as Nelson held the Anthony Nunes trainee off the pace in the early exchanges to get the far-striding Universal Boss into his groove.
Coming across the dummy rails, Universal Boss came through to pick up the lead, and under several vigorous changes of hold from Nelson, Universal Boss held on for the win.
Nunes later saddled Graydon (Robert Halledeen) in the seventh race for a double on the 10-race programme.
Racing continues next weekend when the three-year-olds take centre stage for 1000 Guineas on Saturday (July 25) and the 2000 Guineas on Sunday (July 26).
