VANCOUVER: Trinidadian Kerron Khelawan remained in the hunt for the jockeys’ title and led the way for Caribbean reinsmen plying their trade on Friday at the Hastings Race Course in Canada.

The former TT champion apprentice logged a pair of wins on the six-race card to move his aggregate to 21 for the season – which opened on April 27 and closes on October 20 – and put him second in the jockeys’ standings – 11 behind leader and six-time titlist, Amadeo Perez.

Khelawan got into the frame when he spurred the odds-on favourite What’s Shakin to win by a neck in the $45,000 (CAN) maiden optional claiming third race for maidens, three years old and upward, over 1,300 metres on the dirt track.

He was unhurried on What’s Shakin early while trailing the field into the backstretch before he launched his bid with the three-year-old, bay gelding entering the final turn and close determinedly to finish in one minute, 17.06 seconds.

Khelawan returned to steer the two-one chance Perfect Penny to a one-length win in the $11,000 claiming fifth race over 1,300 metres on the dirt, featuring fillies and mares, three years old and upward that have never won three races.

Entering the backstretch, Khelawan put Perfect Penny to track the duelling leaders, Drill Baby Drill and BC Christie, ridden by fellow former TT champion apprentice Kimal Santo and eight-time TT champion Brian Boodramsing respectively.

Khelawan then got Perfect Penny to set sail after the pacesetters entering the final turn and the five-year-old, bay mare closed willingly in the drive and proved best to clock one minute, 17.77 seconds.

Earlier, Santo got his 15th win of the season and fortified his hold on fourth aboard three-five favourite No Soup for Baby in the $11,000 maiden claiming first race, and Jamaican Bebeto Harvey got his fourth win astride the three-one chance Groovin’ Is Bak in the $11,000 claiming final race.

CMC

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