EDMONTON, Canada – Reigning six-time champion Rico Walcott picked up the pace at Northlands Park as he rode a triple on Friday’s seven-race card at the western Canada racetrack.
The 27-year-old scored in race three over six furlongs with favourite Screamin Sue before returning to win race six over the same distance with another favourite Last Flight.
Walcott followed up in race seven with victory aboard Purple Heaven in another six-furlong trip.
The Barbadian leads the standings after just two weeks of the new season on seven wins with veteran fellow countryman Quincy Welch second on six.
Walcott, who has been dominant figure at Northlands Park in recent years, opened his account when he made all the running with three-year-old chestnut filly Sreaming Sue to beat the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares.
Screaming Sue beat Hero’s Ginger Snap in the sprint to the first turn and then drew off to be 2-1/2 lengths clear at the wire.
Walcott then teamed up with five-year-old mare Last Flight to dominate the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by 3-1/4 lengths.
The pair posted fractions of 23.51 seconds for the quarter and 46.98 for the half to be five lengths clear, leaving the result as a mere formality.
Walcott’s final win of the day came when he led every step of the way with five-year-old bay gelding Purple Heaven to hold off the three-year-old and upwards by three-quarters of a length.
There were also wins for other Caribbean jockeys. Barbadian Kyle Carter won race one over six furlongs with 4-1 chance Hither and Yon, Jamaican Dane Nelson captured race four over six furlongs with favourite White Chai while 19-year-old Antiguan rider Kwame Joseph won with 7-1 bet Kiss Me Perfect in race five. (CMC)
