TORONTO – Barbadian rider Patrick Husbands reeled off a triple at Woodbine last Sunday, as he continued his hot contest with defending champion Luis Contreras for the 2012 jockeys’ title.
On a ten-race card at the Canada’s leading racetrack, the 39-year-old veteran captured race two with Fantastic Cousin, race three with Karida before wrapping up honours in race six with San Nicola Thunder.
He has 146 wins for the season, three behind Contreras and nine clear of 2010 champion Eurico Rosa Da Silva.
Husbands had led the standings in recent months but slipped out of the lead last week after weak returns, and as Contreras’ form picked up. The Woodbine season ends December 16.
Husbands opened his account over 6-1/2 furlongs when he carried 3-1 chance Fantastic Cousin to a handsome victory over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.
He tracked with the five-year-old bay mare from mid-pack before overhauling the leader I am Not Afraid with a furlong to run, and reaching the wire 2-1/4 lengths clear.
Husbands returned to the winners’ circle when he made all the running with three-year-old filly Karida to easily dismiss the field by 3-3/4 lengths in a six-furlong trip.
Sent off as the hot favourite, Husbands and the Mark Casse-trained Karida set a steady pace through the early going and was six lengths clear in the stretch without a challenger.
In a 5-1/2 furlong sprint in race six, Husbands was forced to fight all the way before he could eke out victory with two-year-old gelding San Nicola Thunder.
He found a nemesis in A Lifetime of War, ridden by fellow Barbadian Quincy Welch, and only put the race away deep in the stretch. (CMC)
