FOUR-TIME former Jamaican champion jockey Dane Nelson continued to enjoy good form on the international racing circuit as the bustling rider captured two major races on the multi-stakes 12-race programme at Century Mile racetrack in Edmonton, Canada, on Saturday.

Riding in the Can$50,000 Albert Fall Classic Distaff — a handicap Stakes race for three-year-olds and upward Alberta-bred fillies and mares over one and one sixteenth mile — Nelson partnered with James Brown-conditioned Dance Shoes to a commanding 6¾-length win.

“Warrior Chief”, as Nelson is popularly called, settled Dance Shoes off the pace a bit but was in striking position for most of the way. Dance Shoes then swept the lead after passing the three-eighths marker and drew clear for the win ahead of Pear of Knowledge (Enrique Gonzalez) and Graceful Spirit (Desmond Bryan).

Nelson then booted home Stevie Wonder Girl for trainer Alivia Ketteson in the Can$50,000 Alberta Oaks, a Stakes race for three-year-old, Albert-bred fillies over 1 1/16th miles.

Stevie Wonder Girl was rated by Nelson off the pace while running three wide of rivals. The filly commenced a bid nearing the three-eighths marker before pulling alongside leader Oneofthemgirls (Rico Walcott) at the top of the lane.

After getting rid of Oneofthemgirls in the straight, in typical Nelson style with numerous diamond changes of hold, Stevie Wonder Girl responded well from the urgings and fended off the late run from Libitspicy (Enrique Gonzalez), winning by three parts of a length at the wire. Oneofthemgirls finished third in a time of 1:44.69.

“It is good when you are winning races but winning Stakes races brings you more joy and attention. When you win big races, owners and trainers see you more as a confident and capable rider, and you will ride more as well.

“For me, I am happy when I win races. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I am willing to do the hard work. Thanks to the owners and trainers and all connections for the rides and support, and I will continue to do my job and bring home the winners,” Nelson told the Jamaica Observer.

With those wins, Nelson took his tally for the season to 42 winners from 199 mounts. His overall statistics read 313 winners, 311 second-place finishes and 275 third-place positions from 1,723 mounts, with earnings of Can$3,525,745.