Thomas surges farther ahead with three-timer
Published:Sunday | May 30, 2021 | 12:13 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
ANTHONY Thomas notched a three-timer on yesterday’s nine-race card to open a seven-win lead over Dane Nelson atop the jockeys’ standings.
Thomas, who shared last year’s title with his rival after both reported sick on the last day of the season, has been inching away from Nelson in recent weeks with his sights set on a third jockeys’ crown.
After opening his account astride 7-1 shot ALAN in the second event, Thomas scored aboard two favourites for trainer Jason DaCosta, MY TIME NOW and SUPER DUPER, in the seventh and ninth races, respectively.
Nelson’s sole winner on the nine-race card was ORIGINAL TRAIN in the sixth, running away from $180,000 claimers at four furlongs straight.
MY TIME NOW, relishing six and a half furlongs, swooped down on AJITA inside the last half-furlong to win going away at odds of 4-5.
Speedy SUPER DUPER, however, had to be pushed out to win by a half-length from SURE CURLIN, who rallied under Dick Cardenas along the rail in the closing event at five and a half furlongs.
Thomas was in great form throughout the meet, losing the opening event by a short head with EDDIE’S PRINCESS in a bang-up finish won by Cardenas astride DIOSA DE ORO.
Aboard ELITIST in the eighth, the two-time champion felt the wrath of the day’s biggest upsetter, HELICOPTER, who fell out of the sky close home at odds of 46-1.
Racing continues with a Saturday-Monday dual meet, next Sunday rescheduled because of COVID-19 curfew restrictions.