Nelson strikes early
Four-time Jamaican champion jockey Dane Nelson didn’t waste time getting on the board in Canada.
He launched his 2026 campaign at Century Mile with a victory in the fourth of eight races on Saturday, May 2, 2026 — the kind of fast, aggressive ride that built his reputation.
The three-time champion jockey on the international circuit won aboard Crusher Royale for trainer Gonzalo Anderson in the CAN$21,500 Allowance for three-year-olds and up over five furlongs on the dirt.
Nelson sent the bay gelding straight to the front. No waiting, no measuring. Crusher Royale set a pressured pace into the far turn, absorbed a bid in the straight, then found more when it mattered. He turned back the challenge and kept on going. The wire came in 58.2.
The margin was 1 ¼ lengths over Newhart (Brian Boodramsingh), with Gotme (Enrique Gonzalez) another length back in third.
For Nelson, it was business. But wins on the international stage still hit different.
“It is always good to win races on the international stages. I am grateful for the win and I will continue to do the hard work,” Nelson said.
