Ten Carats provides Francis with 700th career winner
With no trophy race being offered on the day, jockey Paul “Country” Francis took the spotlight when he rode an impressive milestone 700th career winner on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Francis joined a select band of riders to reach the landmark when he guided the Christopher Pierre-trained filly Ten Carats to victory in the seventh race, a Restricted Allowance event over six furlongs (1,200m). Ten Carats won by three and a half lengths ahead over Eddie’s Princess and Milagro, in a time of 1:13.3 minutes.
Francis completed a double by winning with Lightning Lily, trained by Philip Feanny, over seven and half furlongs (1,500m). Lightning Lily was three-parts of a length in front of the Anthony Nunes’s pair of Blue Tradition and Dontae in a good 1:32.3 minutes during the Restricted Stakes event.
Those wins by Francis pushed his tally for the season to 11 winners.
“It is a really good feeling riding a double today, but most importantly, in the process winning 700 career races. I must give thanks to everyone for the support over the years; I am grateful and I appreciate the support a lot,” Francis told the Jamaica Observer.
Also with two winners were jockeys Wesley Henry and Jemar Jackson. Henry won aboard First ‘K’ Boy in the second race for trainer Errol Pottinger and Jesse’s Favorite in the sixth race for trainer Errol Waugh.
Jackson was successful aboard Mr Lyndhurst in the fifth race for trainer Tyrone Prince and Princess Caula in the 10th and final event for trainer Barrington Rambally. Mr Lyndhurst had finished second behind Flying Machine, who was later disqualified for causing interference in the race.
Surprisingly, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta and title-chasing trainer Anthony Nunes, who have been dominating the races of late, were winless on the day.
Racing continues next week Saturday with the Burger King-sponsored Super Day programme. The feature event will be the Burger King Superstakes where Triple Crown winner She’s A Maneater will take on Grade One horses such as Bigdaddykool and the improving Will In Charge in the 10-furlong (2,000m) event.
