FORT ERIE, Canada, CMC – Mark-Lee Buchanan rode a double to stay in touch with the leaders while fellow Jamaican Kirk Johnson logged a single winner on the six-race card at Fort Erie here Sunday.
Buchanan paired with 3-1 bet Love Me Cheryl to win race one over six furlongs before returning with 9-1 choice Lulu’s Lullaby to capture race three over five furlongs.
Meanwhile, Johnson, who finished third here last season, won race two over six furlongs with favorite Royal Chrome.
Buchanan has eight wins from 92 rides in the season, which began May 23, while Johnson is fourth with nine wins.
Edgar Zenteno tops the standings with 11 wins.
Buchanan tasted success for the first time when he guided four-year-old chestnut filly Love Me Cheryl to a narrow win over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.
Favourite Katchy Name made nearly all the running before Buchanan brought Love Me Cheryl from just off the pace to challenge mid-stretch and get up by a neck at the wire.
Buchanan’s second win came when he brought four-year-old bay filly Lulu’s Lullaby from off the pace to collar the three-year-olds and upwards by 1-¾ lengths.
Nine-to-one chance Miss D’s Pride, with Johnson aboard, and 6-1 bet Prince for a Day, engaged in a duel through the half before Buchanan produced an intense stretch run with Lulu’s Lullaby to reel in the leaders.
Johnson joined Buchanan in the winners’ enclosure when he ran with five-year-old mare Royal Chrome to trounce the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares by 2-½ lengths.
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