The decision by Ramon A. Vazquez in early 2022 to move his tack from the Midwest to Southern California has proven to be a wise one. On closing weekend at Los Alamitos, he won the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity with longshot Practical Move as well as the leading rider title.
Vazquez was voted Jockey of the Week for Dec. 12 through Dec. 18 by the panel of racing experts. The award honors jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Riding for trainer Tim Yakteen in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity, Vazquez was aboard longshot Practical Move against a formidable trio from the Bob Baffert barn. Off as the fourth choice in the five-horse field, Practical Move raced in third between Baffert trainees Carmel Road and Arabian Lion. When Carmel Road drifted out, Vazquez guided Practical Move to the rail for the stretch run. Practical Move collared Carmel Road with a quarter mile to go, drawing off decisively to win by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:41.65 for 1 1/16 miles.
“This is the first time I've ever been on this horse and he really impressed me,” said Vazquez. “He relaxed perfectly and then I had to make a decision turning for home whether to go inside or outside. When the leader (Carmel Road) drifted out a bit there was an opening. He came right through and gave me a very nice finish.”
Vazquez concluded the day with four wins.
On Sunday, Vazquez secured his fourth leading rider title of the year, taking the three Thoroughbred meets at Los Alamitos and the Santa Anita Autumn meet.
A native of Puerto Rico, Vazquez, 38, made a career move earlier this year when he moved his tack to southern California after riding successfully at the Midwest tracks of Oaklawn, Lone Star, Prairie Meadows and Remington Park. He won his first Grade 1 race at Del Mar this summer aboard Tell Me Nolies in the Del Mar Debutante for trainer Peter Miller. Vazquez recorded his 3,000th career victory on June 28, 2019 at Prairie Meadows.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week were Dylan Davis with two stakes wins at Aqueduct, Jose Lezcano who was the leading rider for the week in total and stakes earnings, Jose Ortiz with a stakes win at Gulfstream Park, and Cristian Torres with stakes wins at Oaklawn Park and Remington Park on Saturday.
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