Tyler Gaffalione's banner year continued at the just concluded Churchill Downs Spring/Summer meet where he earned his 8th leading rider title at the iconic track. He capped the week with 11 wins and was voted Jockey of the Week for June 27 through July 4. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, honors 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.
Gaffalione, who rides for many trainers, started the race week on Wednesday with a four-win day including two wins for trainer Joe Sharp, and one win each for trainers Bill Mott and Robert Medina. But those wins were just the start. He added two more wins on Thursday one each for Joe Sharp and Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. He added another win for Steve Asmussen on Friday and one for Robertino Diordoro.
Riding for trainer Steve Asmussen on Saturday, Gaffalione was aboard the heavy favorite Wicked Halo in the Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and did not disappoint. Racing in third, Wicked Halo took command into the top of the stretch and cruised to a 4 3/4-length win in 1:36.91 for one mile race on the main track.
“She was very professional today and handled things very well on the track,” said Gaffalione. “We sat a perfect trip just off the early pace and turning for home, she was able to separate from the other fillies.”
On Sunday, Gaffalione again prevailed for Steve Asmussen in the Maxfield Overnight Stakes on Gunite, the odds-on favorite in the field of six 3-year-olds. Gunite slipped through an opening on the rail at the top of the stretch and held off pursuers My Prankster and Hoist the Gold to win by a half-length in 1:23.08.
“He didn't break as sharply today so I was in a bit of a tight spot at the rail up the backside,” said Gaffalione. “Turning for home, I just bided my time and stayed at the rail and he kicked on well.”
On Monday, closing day, Gaffalione recorded his tenth stakes win of the Spring/Summer meet aboard Wonder Wheel for trainer Mark Casse in the Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. The duo took control midway through the turn to post a 6 3/4-length win in 1:10.26 for the six furlongs on the dirt.
Gaffalione, the 2015 Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice, topped the Churchill Downs standings with 62 wins, almost double his nearest rival. His immediate plans include getting married in the next week to Cassidy Edwards and riding at the Saratoga meet which beings July 14.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Junior Alvarado who won the Gr. II Stephen Foster, Eric Cancel who won two graded races at Delaware Park, Carlos Lozada who also won 11 races and Sheldon Russell who returned to riding after a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation from a foot injury.
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