EDMONTON – Barbadian Kyle Carter won his first added-money race of the Northlands Park season when he steered outsider Silver Baubles to the capture of the CAN$58 360 (BDS$114 588) Journal Handicap here last Saturday.
The triumph, in the 58th running of the event, capped a superb day at the western Canada oval for Carter, who also won race four with Grand Request and race nine with U Play U Pay.
With his latest successes, Carter moved into a four-way tie for third in the jockeys standings on ten wins, with fellow Barbadian and two-time defending champion Rico Walcott out front on 37 wins after landing a handsome triple on Saturday.
The day belonged to Carter, however. Going six furlongs, Carter and Silver Baubles stalked the leaders from fifth, as LA Weekend led through the first quarter before Tiny Giant and Wild About Chrome emerged as the new contenders at the half-mile.
Once in the stretch, Carter rallied the four-year-old chestnut gelding and he responded, overhauling the leaders and racing to the finish 1-1/4 lengths clear in a time of one minute, 11.80 seconds.
“Winning a race like this is always exciting. It’s what you hope for,” said trainer Ron Grieves.
Tiny Giant finished second while odds-on favourite and defending champion Commander was third.
Walcott, meanwhile, continued to threaten to run away with the riding title, with another excellent outing.
He won race one with favourite Bouree going a mile on dirt for the three-year-olds and upward fillies and mares, and followed up in race two with victory aboard Rockport Street in a 6-1/2 furlong trip for three-year-olds.
Walcott completed his triple when he carried odds-on bet Quite Contrary to a comfortable win in race six over 6-1/2 furlongs. (CMC)