WINNIPEG, Manitoba, CMC- Veteran rider Renaldo Cumberbatch won the feature CAN$50 000 Derby Trial Stakes but was forced to share the spotlight with fellow Barbadian Damario Bynoe, who notched a triple on the seven-race program at Assiniboia Downs.
The 44-year-old Cumberbatch tasted success when he partnered with 2-1 choice Saxon Saga in race five over a mile to beat the three-year-olds by two lengths in a time of one minute, 41.16 seconds.
Saxon Saga found pressure early from 8-1 chance Rough Customer and 12-1 bet Green Amazon, the trio engaging in a battle that produced fractions of 23.55 seconds for the quarter and 47.73 for the half.
Cumberbatch eked out a slight lead on the final turn and repelled a challenge from favorite Chicago Gray before dominating the lane.
Bynoe, meanwhile, opened his account in race three over six furlongs when he guided favorite Shotgun One to a narrow victory over the three-year-old and upward maidens.
Two-to-one choice Amma’s Star led briefly before Shotgun One picked up the running, holding off his rival in a searing stretch duel to win on the head bob.
Bynoe’s second win came in the day’s finale, combining with another favorite, Jeff Fa Fa, to put away the three-year-olds and upward by a length in a front-running effort.
In another six-furlong sprint, Bynoe stormed to the front with the four-year-old chestnut gelding and was never challenged en route to the wire.
The champion leader, Barbadian Antonio Whitehall, was among the winners, taking race one over six furlongs with favorite Chicago River.
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