KINGSTON, Jamaica - POPULAR four-time Jamaican champion jockey Dane Nelson continues to light up the international racing circuit, winning five races over the weekend at the Century Mile racetrack in Edmonton, Canada.
The ever-bustling Nelson won three races on Friday before booting home a double on the nine-race programme on Saturday.
Nelson started in celebration on Friday’s card in the opening event aboard the Alivia Kettleson-conditioned Lanny Mac, who easily won the claiming race for three-year-olds and upward over one mile by four and three quarter lengths in a time of 1:43.59. Lanny Mac sat in striking position under a snug hold from Nelson early on in the race, went to the lead willingly leaving the backstretch, responded to a looming threat from Bookie (Jose Asencio) nearing the three-sixteenth pole, and won going away. Bookie was second and Where’s the Gold (Mauricio Malvaez) finished third.
Nelson’s second came in the fourth race when he skillfully guided home Estifraad to a length’s win in a three-year-old and upward maiden claiming race over six and one-half furlongs. Nelson, who rated Estifraad near the outside of the pack, fanned the Carson Frey trainee three wide leaving the backstretch but was headed into the lane, but Estifraad was kept to task under heavy handling for the win. Amusing Way (Jose Asencio) was second and Kiss Away (Rico Walcott) was third in a final time of 1:16.95.
The cap came in the seventh race when Nelson, again, was at his best, steering Predition (for trainer Joan Petrowiski) to victory in a claiming race for three-year-olds which have never won three races or Alberta Breds which have never won four races over six furlongs. Perdition, who was bumped at the start, outbattled rivals to win by a length ahead of Phantom (Renaldo Cumberbatch) and Wye Cross (Rafael Zenteno Jr) in a time of 1:10.53.
On Saturday Nelson won aboard Countrified for trainer Robert Kingston in an Allowance Optional Claiming race for three-year-olds and upward which have never won two races, or Optional Claiming $12,000 which have never won three races, or Alberta Breds which have never won four races over seven furlongs. Countrified won by four and three quarter lengths ahead of Pull the Pin (Rashaun Griffith) and Handsome Henry (Mauricio Malvaez) in a time of 1:22.98.
His second was aboard Orange Theory in an Allowance Optional Claiming contest for fillies and mares three-year-olds and upward which have never won three races or Optional Claiming $17,500 over seven furlongs. Trained by Rodney Cone, Orange Theory won by five and a quarter lengths ahead of Joy in Grace (Enrique Gonzalez) and Exactly (N’Rico Prescold) in a time of 1:22.1.
“It is always good to win races — and to win five races in two days is a great achievement for any rider,” Nelson told the Jamaica Observer. “I am riding in good form of late and I just want to continue doing so as I want to build my brand. I must thank the trainers, owners, grooms, and other connections for the support.
“I will continue doing the hard work to reap more success. I am here still learning as I want to be the best that I can be. I don’t’ feel like I have reached my limit and so I will keep pushing myself to be better and better,” added Nelson who has ridden 1,217 winners locally, which placed him fifth on the all-time jockey’s list at Caymanas Park.
With those wins Nelson took his tally for the season to 55 winners — seven wins behind leader Enrique Gonzalez (62 winners) in the race for the jockey’s championship.
