‘Champo’ in triple master class
Jockey Omar Walker, in a demonstration of why he is the reigning and a record six-time champion jockey, masterfully booted home three winners to take the spotlight on the 11-race Independence Day programme at Caymanas Park yesterday.
It was a much needed three-timer for Walker, who has been struggling of late to find the winners and as a result has not been able to defend his crown.
The Bridgeport High School graduate started his celebration in the sixth race on the card when he guided home Also Correct to a two-length victory in the 2018 running of the $600,000 Independence Day Stakes Trophy feature over one mile (1,600m). Trained by Ryan Darby, Also Correct won ahead of Batidor De Mundo (Wesley Henry) and Strike It Lucky (Dick Cardenas) in a time of 1:46.2.
Popular known as “Champo”, Walker then brought the Wayne DaCosta-trained Pandora’s Box with a strong rally to beat Aria (Javaniel Patterson) by a neck in the ninth race, a maiden condition event for native-bred three-year-olds who have not earned $250,000 lifetime over five-and-a-half furlongs (1,100m). Owned by Elizabeth DaCosta and Robert Thomas, Pandora’s Box stopped the clock at 1:09.3.
The cap for Walker came in the 10th race, the top-rated Overnight Allowance event for three-year-olds and upward over 10 furlongs (2,000m), when he rode a brilliant race aboard Superluminal for owner PJK Team and trainer Ian Parsard. Walker guided Superluminal to a length and a half win over Dontae (Shane Ellis) and Dysfunctional (Anthony Thomas) in a time of 2:09.0 with splits of 24.4; 50.3; 1:14.4 and 1:40.0.
With the three winners, Walker took his tally to 26 winners for sixth place – 39 winners off leader Anthony Thomas (65 wins) in the jockeys’ standing. Thomas had two winners ( Transition Time and Princess Caula) on the day. Shane Ellis, who was winless, is second on 41 winners, Dick Cardenas, who was also winless, is third on 40 winners. In fourth place is Oneil Scott, who had one winner ( Miss Linda Wray) on 32 winners, while Linton Steadman, who also had one winner ( Daddy’s Dilemma), is on 27 winners for fifth place.
No one had more than one winner on the day. Racing continues on Saturday next.
