EDMONTON, Alberta, CMC – Caribbean jockeys stole some spotlights on Friday’s eight-race card at Century Mile, with Dane Nelson, N’Rico Prescod, and Keishan Balgobin all tasting success.
Barbadian Prescod was the first to open his account, pairing with 4-5 choice Sublime Euphoria to edge the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares by three-quarters of a length in a gate-to-wire win.
Going five furlongs, the three-year-old filly survived a stumble out of the gate and then a brush before carving out the fractions to run to the wire without a challenge, Dylan Save’s bid coming too late.
Jamaican Nelson enjoyed a stellar last season to finish second with 61 wins, then combined with favorite Bootiful Rose in race five to beat the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by 2-¾ lengths.
In another gate-to-wire effort over five furlongs, Nelson put his three-year-old chestnut filly to front from the break, under pressure from 15-1 bet Night Flyer and 4-1 chance Thrill of the Nite with Prescod aboard.
When Thrill of the Nite faded, Night Flyer picked up the challenge, but Nelson got Bootiful Rose to hold well.
Trinidadian Balgobin entered the winner’s enclosure in race six, also over five furlongs, steering 8-1 choice Babs Delight to a half-length score over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.
Twelve-to-one chance Eyespymylittleeye, with Barbadian Kemar Chase aboard, made the early running before Balgobin produced a late rally with his six-year-old bay mare to pick up the running with a sixteenth left.
and then 