Eight months after arriving in the U.S. via Dubai, Italian jockey Antonio Fresu has solidified his position as one of the top riders in California.
Through the first four days of the Santa Anita Classic Meet, Fresu leads all jockeys with four stakes wins. In the eighth race Sunday, the 32-year-old from Sardinia earned his sixth win overall at the stand aboard Ghost of Midnight ($3.80) for trainer Mark Glatt, which puts him in a tie for leading rider with Santa Anita's perennial top jockey, Juan Hernandez.
“Obviously I'm very pleased with how things are going,” said Fresu, who is represented by veteran agent Tom Knust. “I haven't been here long. Every time you change places you start from zero again and it takes a while to get to know all the different people. But my agent has done a good job. Now we're getting better horses with better chances.”
Fresu's quartet of stakes wins included a two-bagger on opening day last Tuesday with Watsonville ($11) in the Mathis Mile (G2) for Mark Glatt and Easter ($3.40) in the San Gabriel (G2) for Phil D'Amato. Fresu also won the Blue Norther Stakes on Friday with Medoro ($6.80) for Peter Eurton and the Robert J. Frankel (G2) on Saturday with longshot Angel Nadeshiko ($39.60) for trainer Patrick Gallagher.
Fresu acknowledged it has taken time to adjust to racing in the U.S. He has previously ridden all over the world. Prior to arriving at Santa Anita last April, he was plying his trade in Dubai.
“Obviously it's a different style of racing and different style of riding than Europe,” Fresu said. “You have to adapt. It took a little time, but now I'm getting more used to things here. It's been a good experience. I'm still learning and always want to learn more.”
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