Triple dead heats are extremely rare in racing, the most famous being the 1944 Carter Handicap, and it's never happened for Jockey of the Week. Until now.
Declan Cannon, Juan Hernandez and Joel Rosario each had riding achievements last week where the panel of racing experts were evenly divided as to who was most deserving leading to the triple dead heat for Jockey of the Week honors for April 17 through April 23. 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.
Riding at Keeneland on Saturday, Declan Cannon was aboard Verstappen for trainer Brendan Walsh in the Grade 2 Elkhorn. Let go as the longest shot in the field, Verstappen raced near the back of the eight-horse field until the top of the stretch. Verstappen and Red Knight had clear running room on the outside with Verstappen taking the lead at the eighth pole to win by a head over Red Knight in 2:29.28 for the mile and one-half. It was the first stakes win at Keeneland for Cannon.
“Declan rode him to perfection,” said Walsh. “I'm delighted for him. He does a lot of work for me in the mornings and this is a great reward.”
“My horse travelled so good, and I just rode him with confidence,” said Cannon.
Juan J. Hernandez continued his winning ways at the Hollywood meet at Santa Anita after taking the leading jockey title for the winter/spring meet. Hernandez was in the irons on Brickyard Ride for trainer Craig Lewis in the G3 Kona Gold. Brickyard Ride held off a determined Anarchist to register a repeat victory in the six and one-half furlong dirt contest in 1:15.84.
“He made a really good move around the three-eighths,” said Hernandez. “I felt the pace was really hot, these guys didn't want to leave me alone.”
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert gave a leg up to Hernandez on Defunded in the G2 Californian. After hopping at the start, the 5-year-old gelding cruised into contention around the far turn and blew past the competition to win by three lengths in 1:48.91.
“After the bad break, he relaxed really well behind those horses,” said Hernandez. “He picked it up by himself. I just let him go and he caught the horses.”
Joel Rosario picked up where he left off at Oaklawn. After winning the $1 million G1 Apple Blossom the week before aboard Clairiere, he was back for the $1 million G2 Oaklawn Handicap riding Proxy for trainer Michael Stidham. Proxy was in fifth as the horses entered the stretch but gained ground after going six wide to prevail by a head in 1:49.68 over defending Oaklawn Handicap winner Last Samurai.
Rosario also won the two other stakes races, the Valley of the Vapors on Merlazza for trainer Brad Cox and the Bath House Row for Oaklawn's all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Manny Franco who led all riders in wins with 11 and Jose Ortiz with two stakes wins at Aqueduct.
The post Triple Deat Heat For Jockey Of The Week: Declan Cannon, Juan Hernandez, Joel Rosario Tied In Voting appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
