Nelson misses out on hat-trick at Century Mile
EDMONTON, Alberta (CMC) — Jamaican jockey Dane Nelson missed out on a hat-trick due to a disqualification, forcing him to share honours with Trinidadian Keihton Natera on Saturday’s nine-race programme at Century Mile.
The 40-year-old Nelson won a six-furlong sprint in race six with favourite Joy in Grace before returning to capture the day’s finale aboard 2-1 chance Isle of Skye, in a 5-½ furlong dash.
Nelson also took favourite Oops to the wire first in a narrow win by a head over the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares, in race three over a mile.
However, Nelson and Oops were disqualified and placed second following a steward’s enquiry, which determined they made contact in the stretch with Natera — the rider of second-placed Alberta.
Natera then completed his brace in race seven over six furlongs when he piloted 8-1 choice
Al Reichert to a half-length victory.
After Saturday’s exchanges, defending champion Nelson lies second on 21 wins, 11 adrift of Jose Asencio, with Natera down in seventh on 12 wins.
Following his qualification and then missing out in race four with favourite Passage, Nelson opened his account when he combined with six-year-old bay mare
Joy in Grace to beat the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by two lengths.
Little Harper, Henry’s Gamble and Count on It all tussled for the lead before Nelson brought Joy in Grace with a steady run to wear down the leaders in the stretch.
His second win came when he made virtually all the running with five-year-old road gelding Isle of Skye, holding off Tigerito by three-quarters of a length at the wire, to get the better of the three-year-olds and upward.
After logging his opening win courtesy of Nelson’s qualification, Natera partnered with
Al Reichert to edge the three-year-olds and upward by half-length, after bringing the four-year-old roan gelding from off the pace.