Halledeen records double at Thistledown

Jamaican jockey Robert "Hardball" Halledeen enjoyed his best day of the new season so far at Thistledown in Ohio, United States, booting home a double on Tuesday's 8 race programme.

Halledeen first won aboard Bailey Road at 3-1 in the 4th event going 5 and a half furlongs on the dirt in the $17,700 claiming contest for 3 year old and up.
 
He completed his double astride 4-5 favourite Snap Hook in the 8th and final event, a claiming race for 3 year old and up over a mile for a purse of $11,800.

Over in Canada, 2-time Jamaican champion jockey Shane Ellis, won his first race of the season at Woodbine in Toronto last Friday after guiding home the 8-1 chance Forrester Humor in a driving finish in a $51,000 claiming race for 3 year old and up over 5 furlongs on the inner turf.

Ellis who resumed riding in Canada this season after a 16 year absence, also has three second place finishes so far from 9 rides.

On the same programme, fellow Jamaican Jodeien Anderson landed the previous race astride the 3-1 shot One Punch Charlie going 5 and a half furlongs on the all-weather track. The race had a purse of $28,300.
 
Meanwhile, 2019 Jamaican champion jockey Christopher Mamdeen who is riding on the Canadian circuit for the first time, opened his account at the Hastings Race Course in Vancouver on Sunday.

He created a mild upset aboard the 11-1 chance Setebello over 6 and a half furlongs on the dirt. The race was a claiming contest confined to 3 year old and up for a purse of $11,000.