Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterAPPRENTICE jockey Devon S. Thomas came into his own at Caymanas Park yesterday with a sparkling three-timer, his first since he started riding in April last year.
Popularly called "Huggins", Thomas opened his account aboard the 2-1 chance INGENIUS in the third race over a mile, the six-year-old mare getting up close home to beat 8-5 favourite PROUDEST NATIVE in a driving finish. Then in the sixth race he secured a chance ride aboard 5-2 shot BOLD REBEL and made no mistake.
Thomas rounded off the triple with a convincing win aboard the 5-2 second favourite BOUNCE THE MOON in the closing race for maiden four-year-olds and up over 1100 metres.
In the process he upstaged leading jockey Andrew Ramgeet, title chasing Shane Ellis and top apprentice Ramon Parish, all of whom rode two winners each on the 10-race programme.
Thomas, who has shown marked improvement in the saddle since the start of the second quarter, was pleasantly surprised to have emerged the day's leading rider.
"In recent months I have been trying to win two races at a meet without success. Today the father has smiled on me and instead of two, I rode three winners," Thomas said.
"I am happy with the way things have turned out and this will help by confidence a great deal. I want to thank my apprentice master Mr. Azan (Richard) along with other trainers who have given me a chance. Without their faith in me, I would not have come this far," said Thomas who has ridden nine winners this season.
Looking back over the past year, he recalls the tough breaks, like when he broke his right leg aboard BLIGHT at exercise last summer and was sidelined for six months.
Meanwhile, DR. R.S.F. running at odds of 6-5 with Ellis aboard, ran on strongly over the final 200 metres to catch and beat his front-running stable-companion PERSONAL NEMESIS (9-5) by a length in the 1200 metres feature race for the Ivan DeLevante Memorial Cup.
The 3-5 favourite OWEN TAYLOR, bidding for his sixth consecutive win, faded into third place under top weight after chasing PERSONAL NEMESIS to the last furlong in the field of five.
American bred DR. R.S.F., who won the round five President's Cup at the expense of PERSONAL NEMESIS on June 21, is owned by Ryan, Rory and Chad and was saddled by leading trainer Philip Feanny.
Yesterday, there was also disturbing news that Jamaica's first lady of racing, trainer Eileen Cliggott was warned off for two years and fined $75,000 by the Jamaica Racing Commission after a positive test was returned by CHIMLEY BOY early this year.
The 'Hall of Fame' trainer, who has saddled more than 950 winners at Caymanas Park in a career spanning 40 years, has appealed the ban.
