Thompson now three off the leader

EAST BOSTON, Massachusetts (CMC):Jamaican rider Winston Thompson piloted two winners at Suffolk Downs on Thursday to keep pressure on the leader in the jockeys' standings at the north-eastern United States racetrack.

Thompson reached the winners' enclosure in race one with Everblazing before returning there in race six with Sly Sara.

The double moved Thompson to 10 wins in the fledgling season, just three wins off leader Orlando Bocachica.

Thompson opened his account on the nine racecard with a domination of the three-year-old and upwards over six furlongs.

He broke Everblazing nicely and kept pace with the initial leader Kids Got Skills in a tense duel before taking possession of the lead on the turn.

By the halfway point, the bay gelding had opened up a 2-1/2 length lead on the field and ran on strongly to win under steady urging, despite a flying finish from Pop Rocket.

In race six over a mile and 70 yards, Thompson stalked the pace with Sly Sara, keeping close watch on Shirley Law as the four-year-old filly took the field through early fractions of 23.84 seconds and 49.50 seconds.

Shirley Law held the lead up until the final bend when Thompson made his bid with the Sly Sara, steering the brown filly wide and then driving handsomely to the finish by two lengths.