TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Rico Walcott returned from his first-ever weekend at Woodbine, still searching for his maiden win after coming short in three races on Sunday’s eight-race program.
The 33-year-old Barbadian, perhaps the most recognized name in jockey circles on the Alberta racing scene, recently moved his tack to central Canada but is yet to land a winner after four attempts – the first coming in a solo ride on Saturday’s season-opening card.
In his first outing on Sunday – a five-furlong sprint in race two – Walcott finished fourth aboard 5-2 bet Lake Shore Drive, Rafael Hernandez taking the win with favorite Highly Flammable, beating the three-year-olds and upward by 4-¾ lengths.
Lake Shore Drive, a five-year-old gelding trained by Norman McKnight, led briefly during the first quarter before surrendering the lead and drifting out of contention.
Walcott missed out again in another five-furlong sprint in race four for the three-year-olds and upward when he finished down the field with 15-1 choice Mr. Dazzle, as Hernandez added another win on the day’s card aboard favorite Stormy Soul.
The seven-year-old gelding Mr. Dazzle was never a factor after breaking slowly, and Stormy Soul pressed the pace, out-dueled rivals, and collared the field by 2-½ lengths.
Walcott’s hopes of leaving the weekend with any success were dashed when he finished second in the CAN$112 000 race five with 5-1 choice Aim For the Sky, veteran Emma-Jayne Wilson taking 2-1 bet Napa Spirit to the wire two lengths clear to win the five-furlong sprint for the three-year-olds and upward.
and then 