Caymanas Park witnessed a thrilling display of riding prowess on Saturday as former champion jockey Dane Dawkins stole the show with a hat-trick of victories on the 10-race card.

The highlight of his day was reaching a milestone 400 career winners.

Dawkins achieved this landmark in the seventh race aboard Gary Subratie’s Cookie Day N Night, a Restricted Allowance contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over six furlongs (1,200m). The four-year-old chestnut colt won by an impressive four-and-a-half lengths in a time of 1:14.1.

Earlier, Dawkins, who started the day on 398 winners, booted home Richard Azan’s
Danka in the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission/Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Millionaire Series, setting up his historic achievement.

Danka won the maiden special weight contest for native-bred two-year-olds over five furlongs (1000m) round by three parts of a length in 1:02.1.

Dawkins’ third winner, Rainsville, secured an upset victory in the $1.25-million Errol “Big Sub” Subratie Memorial Cup over one mile (1,600m), edging out Run Julie Run (Paul Francis) and Sheer Delight (Dick Cardenas) by half-length. Rainsville, who completed a double for Azan, won in a time of 1:40.2.

Dawkins now sits on 401 winners.

Meanwhile, the thrilling competition for the jockeys’ championship title took a back seat as leaders Tevin Foster and Raddesh Roman struggled to gain momentum.

Foster clung to his lead, securing one win aboard Nala’s Bushman in the opening race. Roman responded with a victory on Sir John in the second event. Foster leads on 109 winners, while Roman is on 105 winners.

The jockeys’ championship quest continues today.

— Ruddy Allen