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Omar Walker ... rode a treble yesterday.

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

CHAMPION JOCKEY designate, Omar Walker, returned to the winners' enclosure with a big grin following yesterday's 10th event after outfinishing former five-time champion Trevor Simpson aboard THUNDER CLAP to win the CTL Claiming Series co-feature with Robert Darby's SANTA ANITA GIRL at Caymanas Park.

Walker, who had two winners on last Wednesday's 10-race card, booted home a three-timer yesterday, ending with SANTA ANITA GIRL, moving his tally of wins this year to 90, 15 clear of Simpson with two racedays left to end the 2007 season.

The two-kilo claiming apprentice had earlier completed a double for veteran trainer Kenneth Mattis landing the opening and seventh events with the two-year-old KIKO and TAKE FIVE respectively.

Walker won the 1500-metre event, race six of the second CTL Claiming Series, with a strong ride aboard the 6-5 choice SANTA ANITA GIRL, who disputed the lead with even-money favourite, but was left behind by Simpson with three furlongs to run.

However, a game SANTA ANITA GIRL responded well to Walker's urgings and chased THUNDER CLAP into the lane with the grey TROPICAL DREAMER moving down menacingly into third position.

A stretch duel between the top two riders ensued with Simpson down along the rail with THUNDER CLAP and Walker out in mid-track aboard a rallying SANTA ANITA GIRL.

THUNDER CLAP started showing signs of tiring a furlong out whereas SANTA ANITA GIRL was travelling well, less than a half-length behind in the middle of the track and wore down her rival within shades of the post.

However, Walker had to keep his mount going as TROPICAL DREAMER charged between horses close to home, flashing past THUNDER CLAP to lose by a half-length.

Simpson fired up

Simpson booted home two winners including ALL FIRED UP in the day's co-feature, the one-mile Paul Newman Memorial Trophy.

Patrick Chang-trained ALL FIRED UP virtually made all the running, cruising home clear of the even-money favourite ABENG, who swerved badly at the start and lost several lengths before recovering to challenge for the lead down the backstretch.

Simpson's other winner was RUMOUR HAS IT for Neive Graham in the 1500-metre third race, closing fast on the outside to sweep past the 3-5 favourite THUNDER SQUAD inside the final half-furlong.

Mattis and Joseph Thomas each had two wins to top the trainers on the day. Thomas saddled MAKE THEM LAFF and POWER CRACKER to win the sixth and 11th races, respectively.