TORONTO– Veteran Jamaican jockey Shane Ellis made all the headlines at Woodbine in Canada Friday when he booted home three winners on the eight-race card.
The 50-year-old, who only returned to the Canadian circuit last season following a near two decade-long break, captured race one with 5-1 choice Lady Xi, followed up in race three to win with another 5-1 chance Julie’s Mist before taking race five with 6-1 choice Trebuchet.
For Ellis, the wins were his first at Woodbine for the new season which got underway April 27 and wraps up December 15.
He opened his account over 6-1/2 furlongs in a CAN$49,200 maiden optional claiming when he combined with five-year-old bay mare Lady Xi to beat the three-year-old and upward Ontario-sired maidens by half-length.
Nelson raced down along the rails as 4-1 bet Cadfael produced the early fractions with 11-1 chance Seattle Down Under and 12-1 bet Bob and Jules chasing.
Lady Xi was full of running in the stretch and produced a late surge in the final metres to catch the front-runners.
Ellis’s second win came in a $50,700 six furlong sprint when he guided four-year-old bay filly Julie’s Mist to a one-length score over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.
Six-to-one bet Silent Tribute led through the half-mile into the stretch before Ellis produced a determined rally with Julie’s Mist to get up in the dying stages.
His third win was nearly a carbon copy of the second as he paired with six-year-old bay gelding Trebuchet to get the better of the three-year-old and upward maidens by three-quarters of a length.
In another six furlong trip – a $31,600 waiver maiden claiming – Ellis saved ground down in fourth with Trebuchet as 12-1 chance Pidin and 6-1 bet Hey Luigi duelled for the lead.
Pidin faded in the run to the wire while Trebuchet flourished to catch Hey Luigi late.
Seven-time champion Patrick Husbands, meanwhile, continued his strong start to the season when he carried favourite Silent Sky to victory by 2-1/4 lengths in a $61 600 optional claiming in race six.
CMC
