Jockey Kenyatta Davis returned to action for the first time since the 2013 champions meet at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Davis got the leg up aboard the Fitznahum Williams-trained Golden Emperor, who finished in last position in the ninth race over seven furlongs (1,400m).

“It’s my hometown. Caymanas Park is my home and will always be, plus I am very happy to be here riding. Everyone is happy to see me and I am happy to see everyone,” Davis, who started to ride as an apprentice in 1999, told the Supreme Racing Guide.

The 39-year-old jockey ventured to Canada in 2003, where he has since been riding at different racetracks. From 725 career mounts overseas, Davis has scored 53 winners, 50 second-place finishes, and 63 thirds with earnings of CAN$538,906 during his time on that circuit.

Davis has ridden some Stakes winners and, according to him, has climbed aboard top horses such as Hail to Dawn, Stage Door Jade, Novetti and Charlie’s Bullet, just to name a few. However, Davis says his love for Jamaica is what brought him back to Caymanas Park.

“I have been riding in Canada for many years now, and then I came here [Jamaica] for one year before I started to come to the racetrack to resume my riding career. I am ready now and hopeful I can do great things for the remainder of this year and certainly beyond.

“I won quite a few races in Canada and it was a very good experience for me. From as long as you are getting the good rides you will win races. When trainers see you win races, they give you rides. The riding experience is great in Canada as you have some good jockeys riding there and I have learnt a lot from them.

“You have jockeys such as Stephan Heiler, Richard Hamel, Quincy Welsh and Rico Walcott. they are great riders and I have watched them over the years, especially how they approach the art of race riding. But I really love Jamaica and I have a lot of family members and friends here, so I had to come back and it feels great to be back as well,” Davis said.

He revealed that he had a weight issue, but everything is under control right now as he hopes to get some good mounts as a result of being able to meet a good riding weight.

“The weight issue was a bit of a problem, but I got down my weight and so everything is all system go for me. I rode the other day and my weight was at 119 pounds and hopefully this week I can get it down to about 115 pounds,” explained Davis.

Davis gave his comparison on the different racetracks he rode on while in Canada against the nine-furlong bowl at Caymanas Park.

“Here in Jamaica the racetrack is much bigger when compared to those racetracks I have rode on in Canada. Over there winning post to post is five furlongs (1,000m). Jamaica’s track is a big track like in Woodbine which is also in Canada.

“The turnings are too sharp — they are razor sharp over there. At Caymanas Park you can set up your horse and move your horse within the turn whether you are coming from behind or leading in front, but over there it is not the same.

“Especially at the Northlands Park racetrack, you have to set up the horses before the turn and position them good or else the horses would run off the track,” he informed.