Cristian Torres rode a career-high five winners Monday to extend his lead in the Oaklawn rider standings after Day 31 of the scheduled 68-day 2022-2023 meeting.
Torres won the first race aboard favored Trumpence ($3.20) for trainer Robertino Diodoro, second race aboard favored Hail Columbia ($3.60) for Diodoro, fourth race aboard Arthurian ($9.40) for trainer Coty Rosin, seventh race aboard favored Disc Jockey ($4.60) for Diodoro and the eighth race aboard Run Fearless ($44.80) for trainer Jinks Fires of Hot Springs.
Torres, 25, had a chance to tie Oaklawn's single-day record for victories by a jockey in the ninth and final race, but Aux Arcs finished third, beaten three lengths, in the maiden-claiming sprint. Hall of Famer Pat Day and Larry Snyder – six victories – share the record. Aux Arcs, who went off 9-2, was making his first start since last May for Arkansas owner/trainer Ernie Witt II.
“I knew six (victories) was the record and only two guys had done it,” Torres said following his third-place finish. “The horse hadn't run in nine months and he was kind of nervous. He was sweating a lot, but he ran a good race.”
Torres has ridden four winners on a card six times in his career, including twice at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting (Dec. 10 and Jan. 21).
“I came in today and was studying the races and I knew I could win three or four, but I never imagined winning five,” Torres said. “I've never done it before, but everything worked out perfectly in the races. Like every plan that I had in every single race, everything worked out perfectly.”
Torres' five-bagger came on the heels of his first career graded stakes victory aboard Last Samurai in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses Saturday at Oaklawn for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Torres, who recorded a riding double Saturday and a triple Sunday, has 47 victories at the meeting, 13 more than runner-up Francisco Arrieta. Torres also leads all riders at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting in purse earnings ($2,753,300) and stakes victories (five).
“I've got a lot of confidence right now,” Torres said.
A native of Puerto Rico, Torres began riding in 2019 and has 466 career victories, including 88 at Oaklawn, according to Equibase, racing's official data gathering organization. Torres captured his first career riding title last year at Remington Park. He began riding at Oaklawn in 2021.
The post ‘I’ve Got A Lot Of Confidence Right Now’: Cristian Torres Rode Five Winners Monday At Oaklawn appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
