Crawford officially 2020 champion jockey

FORT ERIE, Canada – Veteran Barbadian jockey Juan Crawford formally wrapped up the riding title at Fort Erie yesterday, despite missing the final two race days of the four-month season.

The 41-year-old, who grabbed the lead in the standings back in August, ended on 48 wins to be 11 clear of second placed finisher Melanie Pinto.

Crawford also picked up 39 second places and 28 thirds to end with CAN$520 568 and also top the money list.

His most significant victories came with five-year-old chestnut mare Auntie Katherine, winning the $30 000 Molson Cup Stakes in August and the $30 000 Puss n Boots Cup Stakes in September.

“I try to make use of every shot that I get, whether it’s a long shot or a favourite,” said Crawford who has also split his time between Fort Erie and Woodbine this season.

“I just want to give every horse a fair chance and do my best for the people that I’m riding for.”

Jamaican Kirk Johnson finished third on 33 wins while Barbadian Chris Husbands was fourth with 28 and another Jamaican Mark-Lee Buchanan, sixth with 23 wins.

Guyana-born Sunny Singh (21), Trinidad and Tobago’s Emile Ramsammy (17) and Jamaican Howard Newell (10) all reached double figures during the campaign.

Tuesday’s final day was dominated by Husbands, however, the 30-year-old reeling off three impressive wins on the 10-race season-ending card.

He won a five furlong dash in race one with favourite KRZ Society, taking the three-year-old bay filly to a 3-¾ length victory over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

Husbands followed up in race four with another favourite Musical Flight, bringing the six-year-old chestnut mare late to nip pacesetter Diamondsinhereyes by a neck, in a six furlong sprint for the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

His third win came over a mile and sixteenth for the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares when he made all the running with the three-year-old bay filly Starsonthehorizon to come away with a 1-½ length victory.

There were also two victories for Singh, coming in race three over six furlongs with 6-1 chance Lucky Street and in race six over five furlongs with 6-1 bet Twirling Wind. (CMC)