Hard work, dedication and confidence continue to pay off for Dane Nelson on the international racing circuit as the four-time former Jamaican champion jockey picked up three winners on the eight-race card at Century Mile in Edmonton, Canada, on Friday.

“Success only comes with hard work. You have to work hard for what you want to accomplish in life,” Nelson told the Jamaica Observer.

“It is always good to win races, and to win three on a single race programme is a great achievement. I’ve been putting in a lot of effort, and I’m just glad to see the results. Thanks to the connections and all the supporters that have been the driving forces behind my success.

“My focus is to win as many races as possible to build my brand and to continue to develop. I want to reach the top of my profession, and the only way to get there is to continue doing the hard work and to continue learning,” he said.

Nelson started his run in the third event when he booted home Estifraad for trainer Carson Frey in the claiming race for three-year-olds and upward, involving horses which have never won two races, or Alberta Breds which have never won three races over six furlongs. Estifraad showed the way on the inside rails, moved clear nearing the quarter pole and opened up in deep stretch to win by five lengths in a time of 1:09.92, beating Doc Cope (Keishan Balgobin) and He’s Crimson Code (Mauricio Malvaez).

His second came in the very next race aboard the Joan Petrowski-conditioned Perdition, who got home by a length in a claiming race for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs. Perdition set a pressured pace from between rivals, edged clear nearing the quarter pole before, turning back challengers Alongthewatchtower (N’Rico Prescod) and Irish Trick (Rico Walcott) in a time of 1:10.29.

The cap came in the final event when Nelson skilfully outbattled rivals aboard Independence Neigh in a maiden special weight event for Alberta Bred three-year-olds over six and one half furlongs. Independence Neigh quickly took the lead at the start, saving ground while demonstrating the way on the inside rails, and outlasted competitors in a driving finish to the line. Independence Neigh defeated Handsome Henry (Mauricio Malvaez) and Keepmeinpower (Rafael Zenteno) by three parts of a length in a time of 1:16.42.

With those winners Nelson took his tally to 60 winners for the season, five wins behind leader Enrique Gonzalez in the race for the jockey’s title.