Ellis shines with triple at Woodbine

TORONTO, Canada (CMC):

Veteran Jamaican jockey Shane Ellis made all the headlines at Woodbine here Friday when he booted home three winners on the eight-race card.

The 50-year-old, who only returned to the Canadian circuit last season following a near two decade-long break, captured race one with 5-1 choice Lady Xi, followed up in race three to win with another 5-1 chance Julie’s Mist before taking race five with 6-1 choice Trebuchet.

For Ellis, the wins were his first at Woodbine for the new season which got under way April 27 and wraps up December 15.

He opened his account over 6-1.2 furlongs in a CAN$49,200 maiden optional claiming when he combined with five-year-old bay mare Lady Xi to beat the three-year-old and upward Ontario-sired maidens by half-length.

Nelson raced down along the rails as 4-1 bet Cadfael produced the early fractions with 11-1 chance Seattle Down Under and 12-1 bet Bob and Jules chasing.

Lady Xi was full of running in the stretch and produced a late surge in the final metres to catch the front-runners.

Ellis’s second win came in a $50,700 six furlong sprint when he guided four-year-old bay filly Julie’s Mist to a one-length score over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

Six-to-one bet Silent Tribute led through the half-mile into the stretch before Ellis produced a determined rally with Julie’s Mist to get up in the dying stages.

His third win was nearly a carbon copy of the second as he paired with six-year-old bay gelding Trebuchet to get the better of the three-year-old and upward maidens by three-quarters of a length.

In another six furlong trip – a $31m600 waiver maiden claiming – Ellis saved ground down in fourth with Trebuchet as 12-1 chance Pidin and 6-1 bet Hey Luigi duelled for the lead.

Pidin faded in the run to the wire while Trebuchet flourished to catch Hey Luigi late.

Seven-time champion Patrick Husbands, meanwhile, continued his strong start to the season when he carried favourite Silent Sky to victory by 2-1/4 lengths in a $61,600 optional claiming in race six.