EDMONTON, Canada – Seven-time reigning Northlands Park champion Rico Walcott has not been at his most dominant best this season but sent a timely reminder of his quality on Friday, when he won four races on the seven-race card.
The Barbadian went winless in the first two races before leaving his mark on the latter stages of the card, to go to 47 wins for the season and open up a handy lead on second placed Rigo Sarmiento.
Walcott won race three over a mile with hot favourite Isa Deluxe, crushing the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares by 9-1/2 lengths.
Longshot Cupid’s Wings posted the early fractions before Walcott brought the three-year-old bay filly from nearly last to dominate the stretch.
Walcott’s second win came in a six-furlong contest when he steered three-year-old bay filly Bitters to a 2-1/4 length victory over the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares.
Going off at odds of 8-15 in race four, Walcott survived a stumble at the gate with Bitters but recovered in time to reel in the leaders.
Walcott then paired with favourite Bear Fabulous Son to get the better of the three-year-old and upward, going a mile in race six.
They stalked pacesetter Victory Day before bidding at the quarter pole and gaining control in the upper stretch, to take the wire three-quarters of a length clear of Mandela Fever.
Walcott lowered the curtain on the day with another impressive ride, this time combining with hot favourite I’m Outta Here to collar the three-year-old fillies by 4-1/4 lengths in a six furlong sprint.
Walcott duelled with Forest Song before taking command with the chestnut filly at the quarter pole and running on strongly. (CMC)
