Tyler Gaffalione continues to demonstrate why he has been Kentucky's most dominant jockey for the past several years and annually ranks among the nation's top jockeys. Fresh off earning his third leading jockey title at Kentucky Downs, Gaffalione headed to Churchill Downs to defend his September meet riding title one of several he owns at the legendary track.
With two stakes victories during Churchill's opening weekend and a total of 11 wins for the week, the panel of racing experts voted Gaffalione Jockey of the Week for Sept. 11 through Sept. 17. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
On Saturday, trainer Greg Foley gave a leg up to Gaffalione on Bango in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. Off as the favorite in the field of six, Bango pressed the pace of Strobe before taking command leaving the turn. Bango was immediately confronted by Gulfstream Way and those two battled down the stretch with Bango prevailing by a diminishing head in 1:09.02 for six furlongs on the dirt. With the win, Bango tied the record held by Ready's Rocket for most wins at Churchill Downs.
“This horse is very special and just loves it here at Churchill,” said Gaffalione. “I'm very grateful for the entire Foley team for letting me ride him. He's very talented and it's great to be part of history.”
Also on Saturday, Gaffalione was aboard Search Results for trainer Chad Brown in the G3 Locust Grove for fillies and mares. Off as the favorite in the field nine, Search Results led all the way to post a 3 1/4-length win in 1:42.40 for 1 1/16 miles on the dirt.
“She ran a great race today,” said Gaffalione. “I just sort of inherited the lead and she settled really well. In the stretch when I asked her to quicken, I had a lot of horse beneath me.”
Gaffalione finished the week with a five-win day on Sunday.
At the recently concluded Saratoga meet, Gaffalione recorded 34 victories to finish in the top five. After Churchill's September meet, Gaffalione will ride the fall meet at Keeneland where he owns six riding titles. He posted his 2,000th career win Jan. 20, 2023 at Gulfstream Park, his home track and where his riding career began in 2014. He was awarded the Eclipse Award as top Apprentice in 2015.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week were Alex M. Cruz who won the jockey title at Emerald Downs for the 4th consecutive year which set a record at a Washington state track, Dylan Davis who won the G1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, Sheldon Russell with two stakes wins at Pimlico, and John Velazquez whose two stakes wins included the G1 Natalma at Woodbine.
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