Sport

Thompson extends lead

EAST BOSTON, CMC

JAMAICAN JOCKEY WINSTON Thompson, on course to defend his Suffolk Downs jockey's title, stretched his lead in the 2005 standings when he landed a double on Monday.

Thompson won the first and fourth races to improve his season tally to 68 wins, 11 wins clear of his nearest challenger Dyn Panell (57) who went winless on the day's card.

In the first race over one mile, Thompson steered the 8-5 favourite Sundance Shamrock to an unchallenged victory by one and three-quarter lengths over Sunset's Amber.

Thompson, a former champion apprentice at Jamaica's Caymanas Park, took the dark bay filly on the outside and stayed there uncontested before taking control of the final turn to claim victory in 1:45.57 minutes.

Thompson produced another impressive performance to land the fourth race by two and a half lengths aboard 3-1 favourite The Midnight Skier, finishing strongly to defeat early leader Mr Humanity.

The 40-year old pressed the pace with the four-year-old bay gelding early and hung on to the rail all the way up the home strait, powering past the post in 1: 12.30 minutes.