Another racing week and Flavien Prat continued to add to his impressive list of graded stakes. His victories in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile, and the G2 San Carlos earned the French-born Prat Jockey of the Week honors. 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.
With Friday's card moved to Monday due to impending weather, the Santa Anita race week began on Saturday with a stakes loaded 11-race card. Prat had the call on Cezanne for trainer Bob Baffert in the G2 San Carlos for 4-year-olds and up. Off as the heavy favorite in the field of six, Prat and Cezanne were second between horses with eventual runner-up Principe Carlo and jockey Kyle Frey to his outside. Turning for home, Cezanne took control, drawing away in mid-stretch to post a 2-1/2 length win in 1:23.45 for the seven furlongs.
“He broke well and got himself into the race,” said Prat. “I was travelling well and he responded well when it was time to make a move.”
Riding again for Bob Baffert, Prat was paired with As Time Goes By in the G1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares. With just three rivals, As Time Goes By went off as the prohibitive favorite. Bobbling slightly out of the gate, As Time Goes By recovered quickly and was in front into the first turn and never looked back winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:37.55.
“She broke a little flat-foot.” said Prat. We kind of brushed each other and after that I had to hustle her a little bit to get (us) in the race, but after that I was travelling well and I felt like I was in control.”
Trainer Phil D'Amato gave a leg up to Prat on Count Again in the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile for 4-year-olds and up. Off as the favorite in the field of 11 and in fifth with a furlong remaining, Count Again mounted a rally in the middle of the track taking the lead and just getting up in the shadow of the wire for a head victory in 1:33.24 on the turf.
“It took him a little bit to get going but once he did, he did well,” said Prat. “I had a good trip and it worked out well.”
The three stakes wins brought his total of graded stakes in 2022 to nine and he has a commanding lead in the Santa Anita jockeys standings with 62 wins through Sunday. As reported, Prat will move his tack from Southern California to Keeneland for the Spring meet that begins April 8 then on to Belmont Park for their Spring/Summer meeting which begins April 28.
Prat's competition for Jockey of the Week included Dylan Davis with a stakes win at Aqueduct and seven wins for the week, Manny Franco with two stakes wins at Aqueduct, Jose L. Ortiz with three graded stakes and nine wins for the week, and Luis Saez who led all jockeys in wins with 15.
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