NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CMC)

Jamaica-born jockey Shaun Bridgmohan stole the show at Fair Grounds in Louisiana Saturday, storming to victory in the Van Berg Stakes and FW Gaudin Memorial Handicap to take two of the four added-money races on offer on the 12-race programme.

In a 5-1/2 furlong sprint for three-year-olds in race seven, Bridgmohan steered 5-1 bet Animal Style to victory in a time of one minute, 5:88 seconds, to win the Van Berg by 1-1/2 lengths.

He followed up in race eight, making all the running aboard Delaunay to trounce the field in the FW Gaudin by 4-1/4 lengths.

The triumphs, both worth US$75, 000, ensured a hat-trick of wins on the day's card for the experienced 33-year-old reinsman who also won the US$25, 000 race six over six furlongs with Take Interest.

With the success, Bridgmohan cracked the million dollar barrier for the winter season and now has US$1, 048, 460 in earnings.

The day could have been even better for Bridgmohan but he missed out in the US$75, 000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Handicap when he finished second with 20-1 long shot Ausus, behind winner Daisy Devine.

Bridgmohan opened his added-money account in the Van Berg when he produced an exciting come-from-behind effort with Animal Style.

He raced the bay colt along the rails at the rear of the field in the early going as Jo Jo'ås Comet set a cracking pace of 22.10 for the first quarter. Bridgmohan swung Animal Style off the rail in preparation for the stretch run, rallied strongly in the final furlong to reach the wire strongly.

In contrast, Bridgmohan led every step of the way with Delaunay to win the FW Gaudin, reaching the post in 1:09.06, which was just outside the 11-year-old track record.

Delaunay swept through the quarter mile in a rollicking 21.44 seconds before completing the half-mile in 44.12. Once the six-year-old bay gelding was set down for the drive, the result was never in question.