EDMONTON, Alberta (CMC) — Reigning Century Mile champion Dane Nelson captured one of two added-money races here Friday, when he steered favourite Missczech to victory in the CAN$50,000 Shirley Vargo Handicap.

Going seven furlongs in race five for three-year-old and upward fillies and mares, the Jamaican produced a stalking ride aboard the five-year-old mare to reach the wire three-quarters of a length clear in a time of one minute, 22.43 seconds.

Ten-to-one chance Pretty Aria sprinted clear under Barbadian N’Rico Prescod to open up a four-length lead through the first quarter completed in 21.82.

However, Missczech went in pursuit, catching the leader at the quarter pole before surging through the stretch and holding off 5-1 bet Big Hug who rallied late.

Nelson’s success headlined several victories for Caribbean riders as Barbadians Rashaun Griffith, Kemar Chase and Rasheed Hughes, along with Trinidadian Keishan Balgobin, all found themselves in the winners’ circle.

In race three over a mile for three-year-olds and upward, Jamaican Samantha Fletcher thought she had completed victory with 5-1 choice Simply Wicked, but stewards upheld a protest against her, handing Griffith and Gabbysonholiday the win.

Chase, meanwhile, brought 2-1 chance Wrong Spot with a late run to beat the three-year-olds and upward by 1¼ lengths in race four over seven furlongs while Balgobin combined with 2-1 bet Stone Carver to capture a six-furlong sprint in race seven, also for the three-year-olds and upward.

Hughes then won race nine over seven furlongs when he steered favourite
Asamatteroffactido to a comfortable 2¼-length score over the three-year-old fillies.