jockey of the week | Horse Racing Free Tips

Arnaldo Bocachica Rides 2,000th Winner, Voted Jockey of The Week

The perennial leading rider at Charles Town, Arnaldo Bocachica, won his final race on March 6 aboard Never Compromise to reach an even 2,000 wins in his career and earn Jockey of the Week honors for March 1 through March 7. The award, 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 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

The personable, quiet, hard-working journeyman jockey has led the jockey standings at Charles Town in both wins and purse earnings the last three years. He currently leads the meet with 52 wins and $788,326 in earnings. He rides first call on many of leading Charles Town trainer Jeff Runco's starters.

“A big congratulations to my main man Arnaldo Bocachica and his agent Billy Kennedy on his 2,000th win,” said Runco on Twitter.

“Thank you boss for the support over the years,” Bocachica replied. “I'm grateful to be part of the Runco team.”

Bocachica's weekly stats included 10 wins from 23 mounts for a 43.4% win percentage and 78% in-the-money percentage. He tied for second with number of wins for the week. His total purse earnings were $154,113.

Bocachica out-polled fellow riders apprentice Alexis Centeno who won his first graded race, Jose Ferrer who won the Gr. II Tampa Bay Derby, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won the most races for the week with 14, and Joel Rosario who won the Gr. I Santa Anita Handicap.

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Luis Saez Rides Essential Quality, Mystic Guide To Jockey Of The Week Title

Luis Saez usually rides at Gulfstream Park, but he traveled to Oaklawn Park last week as the track reopened after adverse weather conditions led to a two-week shutdown. Saez won both of the rescheduled graded stakes races, earning the Jockey of the Week award for the week of Feb. 22 through Feb. 28. The award, 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 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Riding Mystic Guide for the first time for trainer Michael Stidham in the Gr. 3 Razorback Handicap, Saez was unhurried early in the field of seven for the first half mile. Saez moved Mystic Guide closer to the front down the backstretch and was a head in front at the top of the stretch drawing clear to win by six lengths in 1:45.48 for 1 1/16 miles over a track rated as sloppy.

“Everything was perfect, that was the trip we wanted,” said Saez. “We had the perfect spot from the outside. I just tried to keep the horse clean and he was comfortable all the way. He got to the top of the stretch and took off. It was a great race.”

Eclipse-award winning trainer Brad Cox engaged regular rider Luis Saez, on 4-5 favorite Essential Quality in the Gr. 3 Southwest Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Breaking from the rail, Saez settled the reigning Champion 2-year-old behind Jackie's Warrior who set the pace for the first half mile in the field of seven. Saez patiently moved Essential Quality to the outside and made his move turning for home and drew well clear to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:44.33 over the sloppy track.

“I'm so excited,” Saez said. “I'm very happy to riding this horse. We were waiting a long time. What a talented horse. We knew the speed was to our outside. The plan was to follow him (Jackie's Warrior) the whole way. Everything came together. He finished very strong and I still had a lot of horse.”

Saez currently sits in second place in the jockey standings at Gulfstream Park. His weekly stats included seven wins from 22 starts for a win percentage of 31.82 percent and an in-the-money percentage of 59 percent with total purses earned $954,917 to lead all jockeys for the week.

Saez out-polled fellow riders Junior Alvarado with two stakes wins, James Graham who tied for second leading rider by wins with eight, Trevor McCarthy with seven wins and Jose Ortiz who won two graded stakes including the Fountain of Youth.

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Big Weekend, Milestone Net Flavien Prat Jockey Of The Week Honors

Jockey Flavien Prat had a very good week. In addition to winning all three stakes races at Santa Anita he also registered his 1,000th North American victory. The accomplishments earned Prat the Jockey of the Week award for Feb. 15 through Feb. 21. The award, 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 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Riding for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella in the Wishing Well Stakes, the feature on Presidents' Day, Prat guided Superstition to a 1-1/2 furlong victory in 1:14.22 over 6-1/2 furlongs on the turf.

On Saturday, trainer Phil D'Amato tapped Prat to ride Charmaine's Mia for the first time in the Grade 2 Buena Vista a one mile turf test. Stretching out for the first time, Charmaine's Mia got the distance in 1:33.93.

“She broke sharp,” said Prat. “She's really fast out of the gate and I wanted to be on the lead, but the inside horse (Bohemian Bourbon) was pulling very hard, so we were in second, which was a good place to be. When we made the lead at the quarter pole, she got a good breather and from there, she finished really well.”

Prat was given a leg up on Bella Vita by trainer Simon Callaghan in the Spring Fever Stakes on Sunday. Heavily favored in the field of six, Bella Vita was in control the entire trip making short work of her rivals as she powered to a 4-1/2 length win.

“I thought I was on the best horse and I was,” said Prat. She broke well and we got a good position up close. She was push button and she did it on her own.”

French-born Prat, Santa Anita's reigning Winter/Spring Champion Jockey and current meet leader, registered his 1,000th North American victory on Feb. 19. In a remarkable span of about six years, he has collected 11 Southern California riding titles and is currently tied for 13th with retired Hall of Famer Donald Pierce on Santa Anita's all-time Winter/Spring stakes won list with 99 to date.

“It means a lot, it's a big achievement,” said Prat. “(Looking to the future) I hope to do as good as I have done. I don't want to be satisfied with what I've done, I want to try to improve. I've been lucky to have been on a lot of good horses…They all have a place in my heart.”

Prat's weekly stats included 12 wins from 26 mounts for a win percentage of 46% and 73% in-the-money percentage. He led all jockeys in purses won with $553,440.

He out polled fellow jockeys Eric Cancel with a stakes victory, Isaias Enriquez with two stakes victories, Horacio Karamanos with a graded stakes win and Sheldon Russell with two stakes victories.

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Four Stakes Wins Propel Diego Saenz To Jockey Of The Week Honors

Jockey Diego Saenz won four stakes races at Delta Downs on their richest program of the year to earn Jockey of the Week honors for the week of Feb. 8 through Feb. 14.

The award, 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 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Under jockey Diego Saenz and riding for trainer Tom Amoss and owners Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin, No Parole was an easy winner in the Premier Day Sprint. No Parole covered the 5-furlong distance in 57.37 the fastest clocking of the season at that distance.

Trainer Bret Calhoun gave Saenz a leg up on Southern Beauty in the Premier Day Matron. Saenz roused her to the lead turning for home in the five-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. The win was the fourth of the day for Saenz.

Eclipse award-winning trainer Brad Cox teamed with Saenz on Australasia in the Premier Day Starlet for 3-year-old fillies at one mile. Under Saenz, Australasia set the early pace and then took off to win by 7-1/4 lengths.

Riding for trainer Ronnie Averett in the Premier Day Bon Temps Starter, Saenz and Wild Mallory won the five-furlong test in front-running style.

Saez, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, has been riding professionally since 2004 primarily on the Louisiana circuit. He has won numerous riding titles at Delta Downs and currently sits in second place.

Lifetime to date, he has won 2,326 races and more than $47 million purses.

Saenz out polled fellow riders Eric Cancel who was leading jockey by number of wins and won a stakes at Aqueduct, Florent Geroux who won two stakes races at Fair Grounds, Gerard Melancon who won three stakes at Delta Downs and Flavien Prat who won a stakes race at Santa Anita.

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