John Velazquez held a 9-3 advantage in Santa Anita's jockeys' race three days into the meet, but that seemingly large lead dissipated at the Arcadia, Calif., track on Saturday when perennial leader Flavien Prat won six races, closing the gap to 10-9 in a virtual blink.
Prat had mounts in all 10 races, delighting any place parlay players supporting him, as he was second in his other four rides.
The feat was no surprise to those who have watched the 29-year-old Frenchman ply his trade in earnest here since 2015.
Velazquez has registered his 10 victories from 22 mounts, a 45 percent winning average, with purse earnings of $743,850.
Prat has 29 mounts for a 31 percent winning average, with purse earnings of $795,000.
“What can you say?” pondered Doug O'Neill, who has given Prat a leg up on many a winner, including his 3-year-old star of 2021, Hot Rod Charlie, scheduled to leave Jan. 17 for the $12 million World Cup on March 26 in Dubai, where he will have one prep race at Meydan Racecourse before the World Cup.
“Flavien is so good,” O'Neill said. “I've been around here since the 80's with Shoemaker, McCarron and all the legends. Prat is still young with a big future.
“I think we're looking at a legend in the making.”
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