Husbands in the big money

TORONTO – Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands captured the most expensive race on the day’s eight-race card but it was his only success on Wednesday at Woodbine racetrack.
The 37-year-old triumphed with hot favourite Abrianna in Race 7 over 11/16th miles, in an allowance event worth CAN$70 300 (BDS$142 275).
He was one of two Caribbean riders in winners’ row as fellow Barbadian Chris Griffith piloted Savanadana to victory in a seven-furlong trip that lowered the curtain on the midweek programme at the Toronto Oval.
Husbands, challenging for his seventh riding title at Woodbine, produced a solid ride to carry Abrianna to the finish by three-quarter lengths in a time of one minute, 46.28 seconds.
He broke the Roger Attfield-trained four-year-old filly smartly and settled her at the back down the backstretch as Dulce Esparenza held off Kindersley and Megavella to cling to a narrow lead.
With a half-mile to run, Megavella picked up the running with Kindersley in pursuit and Husbands bringing Abrianna with a sweeping run on the outside.
Everyone went for broke at the quarter-pole but Husbands had momentum with Abrianna, snatching the lead with a furlong to run and reaching the finish all hands and heels.
Griffith, meanwhile, took the CAN$30 500 (BDS$61 728) Race 8, racing the 3-1 bet Savanadana off the pace before bringing the three-year-old filly with a late run to beat her field. (CMC)