Jones impresses with double at Woodbine

TORONTO, Canada (CMC):

Teenaged sensation Slade Jones won twice on Thursday’s eight-race card at Woodbine, to continue his impressive start to his first-ever campaign at the celebrated oval.

The 16-year-old son of outstanding former Barbadian jockey Jono Jones captured race three over 6 1/2 furlongs with 3-1 chance Sassy Martini before following up immediately with victory aboard 5-1 bet Vespolina in race four over seven furlongs.

All told, Jones has already tallied 21 wins from 172 rides. The only rider with Caribbean connections above him in the standings is legendary Barbadian Patrick Husbands with 34 wins from 166.

The standings are led by Rafael Hernandez with 70 wins from 386 rides.

Jones opened his account when he guided the three-year-old grey Sassy Martini to a 3 1/2-length win over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

The pair were challenged early on for the lead by 55-1 longshot Royal City Reign with another Barbadian Keveh Nicholls aboard, but gradually pulled away in the stretch to be unchallenged late on.

Jones’ second win came with the six-year-old mare Vespolina, edging the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by a neck in a close encounter.

Seven-to-one choice Lets Run Two was two lengths clear at the half-mile completed in 46.40 seconds with Jones trailing the 10-horse field with Vespolina.

However, Vespolina made good progress off the turn and Jones got the best out of her in the dying stages to nip Classic Queen and Blazing Sky at the wire.