Nelson narrows Gonzalez’s lead at Century with triple

EDMONTON, Alberta (CMC):

Jamaican Dane Nelson ensured Enrique Gonzalez’s lead at Century Mile remained in single digit, by reeling off a superb triple on the nine-race programme here on Friday.

The 37-year-old won with favourite Lanny Mac in race one, 2-1 choice Estifraad in race four, before capturing race seven with 6-1 chance Perdition.

Nelson lies second on 53 wins, now only eight behind Gonzalez in the season, which wraps up on November 5.

However, Gonzalez also maintained his winning form, taking race three over six furlongs with 2-1 bet Unbridled Skye, and race eight over a mile with 3-1 chance Ryanwater.

Barbadian Rico Walcott, the reigning champion, managed a single win in five attempts aboard 2-1 choice Take No Prisoners in race nine, to remain third on 44 wins.

Nelson opened his account over a mile and sixteenth for the three-year-olds and upwards, guiding five-year-old bay gelding Lenny Mac to a handsome 4½-length win.

Lanny Mac collared early pacesetter Vision Quest leaving the backstretch and then powered through the lane, despite a challenge from 2-1 bet Bookie.

Nelson’s second win came over 6½ furlongs when he combined with three-year-old bay gelding Estifraad to get the better of three-year-old and upward maidens by a length.

The pair out-duelled 11-1 chance Chris’s Command through the first quarter, before getting clear to command the latter stages.

Nelson then grabbed his third victory in a six-furlong sprint for the three-year-olds and upward, stalking with four-year-old gelding Perdition, duelling with Fast Eh on the final turn before holding well to win by a length as Phantom Mac chased late.