For jockey Dylan Davis, the closing weekend of Aqueduct's winter meet was one of the most important of his career. On Saturday, he won four stakes races during the New York Claiming Championship card and on Sunday, he earned Aqueduct's leading jockey title which is the first of his career.
Those accomplishments earned Davis Jockey of the Week for March 21 through March 27. The honor, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Davis won the first of four stakes on Saturday in race 2 aboard Witch Hunter in the Belle Gallantey for trainer Charlton Baker. Off as the 1-5 favorite, Witch Hunter won by nine lengths in 1:27.08 for the seven-furlong test for older fillies and mares.
Trainer Wayne Potts then gave a leg up to Davis in race 6 on Baby I'm Perfect in the Peeping Tom, a 6-1/2 furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up. Baby I'm Perfect took the lead in mid-stretch to post a 4-1/2 length victory in 1:18.40.
In Race 8, Davis rode the 8-year-old Blewitt for trainer John Toscano, Jr. in the seven-furlong Stud Muffin. Racing just off the pace, Blewitt took command at the top of the lane to go on to a 4-1/2 length win in 2:22.84 for the 11-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up.
Davis won his fourth and final race of the day in Race 10, the Dads Cap on No Salt for trainer Mike Micelli. Off as the 3-5 favorite in the field of 13, No Salt tracked Next Flight in second easily drawing off on the turn for a 4-3/4 length win in 1:34.42.
“Everyone had their horses ready and were performing,” said Davis remarking on his four-win day for four different trainers. “I'm just happy that I was able to get four. We don't keep our eggs in one basket. We enjoy riding for everyone.”
On closing day Sunday, Davis earned the first riding title of his career with 63 wins during the 2021-2022 Aqueduct winter meet. His wins included six black-type stakes races and nearly $3.5 million in purses. Davis finished nine wins ahead of Trevor McCarthy.
“It's incredible,” said Davis. “I'm grateful and honored. I've worked very hard for this. I'm grateful I can have this success and get one of the titles. My agent, Mike (Migliore), works very hard behind the scenes to get me the mounts. Thanks to the owners and the trainers and everyone on the backside, especially the horses.” The 27-year-old native of Manhasset, New York is the son of retired jockey Robbie Davis. His sisters, Jackie Davis and Katie Davis-McCarthy are also jockeys.
Davis's statistics for the week were 25-5-5-3 and $281,390 in total purses.
Other nominees were Javier Castellano with three stakes wins, James Graham with a win in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial at Fair Grounds and won leading rider, Sonny Leon with nine wins for the week, and Joel Rosario with four stakes wins including the G2 Louisiana Derby and the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks.
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