Jamaican jockeys win on Canadian circuit

Two Jamaican jockeys opened their accounts for the 2023 season on the Canadian circuit over the past two days, while a former champion had a runner-up spot in a big purse event. Mark-Lee Buchanan recorded his first win of the 2023 campaign on Tuesday at Fort Erie in Ontario, Canada.

Buchanan brought the 6 year old dark bay gelding Big Time Louis from off the pace to land the 6th event on the 8 race card, a claiming contest for 3 year old and up over 5 furlongs on the dirt with a purse of $22,200.

Buchanan who began riding in Canada 12 years ago, also had two second place finishes on the programme.
 
Over at the Hastings Race Course in Vancouver, Kuri Powell rode his first winner of the season when the 8-1 shot Jersey's Image captured the opening event on Monday's 7 race card.

The race was confined to maiden claimers, 3 year old and up going 6 and a half furlongs on the dirt for a purse of $11,000.

Meanwhile, 2-time former Jamaican champion jockey Shane Ellis has returned to the Canadian circuit after an absence of 16 years.

Ellis made the frame on his first mount by guiding the 37-1 outsider Julie's Mist to a second place finish in the 4th event on Sunday's 9 race card, a maiden special weight contest for 3 year old fillies.

The race was run over 7 furlongs on the all-weather track and had a purse of $111,600. Prior to this stint, Ellis last rode on the Canadian circuit in 2007.