Walcott registers a brace of victories

EDMONTON, Canada – Barbadian Rico Walcott produced a strong gate-to-wire performance with 2-1 chance Sheltered Bay to win the CAN$50 000 Chariot Chaser Handicap at Century Mile last weekend.

In the second of two wins on the day’s seven-race card Walcott broke the three-year-old brown filly sharply to control the six furlong sprint, fending off a late challenge from favourite She Likes to Party, to reach the wire 1-¼ lengths clear in a time of one minute, 09.67 seconds.

She Likes to Party, with Barbadian Antonio Whitehall aboard, was second while Queen Rhonda held off Shannon’s Secret for fourth.

“She’s fast. I don’t know what else to say,” said trainer Craig Smith.

“I had her down in Phoenix over the winter. I knew she was fast and we tried to get her slowed down a bit but she’s just naturally fast.

“I don’t know if she is one-dimensional or not. You just don’t get a chance to put her behind horses because she is so fast.”

Sheltered Bay, by Gemologist out of City by the Bay, clocked 21.61 seconds for the quarter and 44.64 for the half-mile but was forced to duel in the stretch with the persistent She Likes to Party.

Walcott had earlier captured race three over 6-½ furlongs, piloting 2-1 Minsky Moment to a 3-¾ length thrashing of the three-year-olds and upward in another front-running effort. (CMC)