jockey of the week | Horse Racing Free Tips

Kato Named Jockey Of The Week After Uniquely Historic Win At Turf Paradise

Akifumi Kato's amazing record of posting at least one win each year for 50 consecutive years was such a unique achievement it earned the journeyman Jockey of the Week honors for Jan. 4 through Jan. 10. 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.

Currently riding at Turf Paradise, the unique milestone was celebrated on Jan. 8 when Kato won the fifth race aboard She's A Lady Griz which was also his 69^th birthday. The win was made even more special as the winner is trained by Kato's daughter, Kaylyn Kato.

Kato was born in Japan to a jockey turned trainer. After winning his first race in the United States at Ferndale Fair in northern California, Kato rode primarily at Playfair in Spokane, Wash., where he was the all-time leader with 1,104 victories including two riding titles and four victories in the Playfair Mile. He is also the only active jockey to post victories at Washington's other racetracks, Longacres, Yakima Meadows and Emerald Downs in addition to Playfair. He also rode at Portland Meadows.

A member of the Jockeys' Guild for 49 years, Kato's career stats to date include 19,983 mounts with 2,034 wins and $6,360,226 in purse earnings.

Kato out-polled fellow riders Kendrick Carmouche who won a stakes races at Aqueduct, Manny Franco with a stakes victory at Aqueduct, Umberto Rispoli who won the Grade III La Canada at Santa Anita and Drayden Van Dyke who won the Grade 3 Kalookan Queen at Santa Anita.

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Trio Of Graded Wins Nets Joel Rosario Jockey Of The Week Title

Joel Rosario captured all three graded stakes events at Santa Anita leading to Jockey of the Week honors for Dec. 28 through Jan. 3. 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.

Rosario started the new year on Friday aboard Hembree in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes for trainer Peter Miller. Racing last about 6-1/2 lengths off the lead in the turf contest, Rosario hugged the rail and slipped through a narrow opening three sixteenths of mile out and unleashed a powerful stretch run repelling a late challenge from True Valour to cover the 6-1/2 furlongs in 1:13.80.

“He broke well and I thought we were in a good spot, not too far off the lead,” said Rosario. “He made a nice move around the turn and when that other horse came to him, he tried very hard.”

“Brilliant, it really was just a fantastic ride by Joel, that's why he is one of the best,” said Miller.

Peter Miller again gave Rosario a leg up Saturday on Anothertwistafate in the G2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1-1/8 miles on the turf. Anothertwistafate took command in mid-stretch en route to a 2-1/4 length victory stopping the clock in 1:46.63.

“It was the first time with blinkers today and he broke really quick out of there,” said Rosario. “Having the blinkers helped, he was more focused today.”

Riding for trainer Bob Baffert in the G2 Santa Ynez aboard Kalypso on Sunday, Rosario and the newly turned three-year-old filly were in total command turning for home asserting her dominance over the field of six by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:23.42.

“She broke good and put me right into the race, a good position,” said Rosario who won his third stakes race through five days of racing. “I'm just happy to be on her.”

A native of the Dominican Republic, Rosario currently sits in second place in the Santa Anita standings through the first five days of their Winter-Spring meet.

Rosario posted a 30 percentage win percentage and was leading jockey by purse earnings with $554,900.

Rosario out-polled fellow jockeys Florent Geroux who won nine races from 20 starts, Mitchell Murrill who led all jockeys by wins with 10, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won three stakes at Gulfstream Park and Juan J. Hernandez who won eight races during the week.

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Ricardo Gonzalez Wins First Grade 1, Voted Jockey Of The Week

Ricardo “Ricky” Gonzalez's decision to move his tack from Northern California to Southern California was a decision that brought him his first career Grade 1 win and Jockey of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 21 through Dec. 27. 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.

Trainer Eoin Harty gave Gonzalez a leg up on Fair Maiden in the G1 La Brea for 3-year-old fillies on Santa Anita's opening day. Off at odds of 20-1 and seventh of 10 in the early portion of the seven-furlong race, she gained ground on the far turn, kicking clear to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:22.69.

“I've been watching Ricky since he came down here and I think he's the next superstar,” said Harty.

On his first career G1 win Gonzalez remarked, “I was just so happy and excited, just to ride these kinds of horses, it feels great. I am very thankful to Eoin and all the trainers for all the opportunities.”

In the final stakes of opening day, Gonzalez was aboard Nasty for trainer Richard Baltas in the one mile Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Nasty took a commanding lead in the first half of the turf contest and held off a furious rally from East Coast invader Counterparty Risk for the win.

A native of Sinaloa, Mexico, Gonzalez came to the United States in 2013 first to Turf Paradise. He soon moved his tack to Golden Gate Fields where he rode regularly until this summer beginning with the Del Mar meet where he rode 16 winners.

Gonzalez's weekly stats were 10-2-1-3 with purse earnings of $257,160.

Gonzalez out-polled fellow riders Flavien Prat who won two stakes at Santa Anita, Mike Smith who also won two stakes races at Santa Anita, Jevian Toledo with three stakes wins at Laurel and Edgard Zayas who led all jockeys in wins with nine.

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David Cabrera’s Three Stakes Wins Lead To Jockey Of The Week Title

Remington Park's leading jockey, David Cabrera, won three stakes at his home track to be voted Jockey of the Week for Dec. 14 through Dec. 20. 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.

Cabrera began his stakes triple during the Friday night card with trainer Kenny McPeek giving him a leg up on Jeweled Princess in the She's All In Stakes at one mile and 70 yards. Jeweled Princess advanced off the final turn to win by a head over fast closing Istan Council.

“She was not intimidated at all coming up the rail,” said Cabrera.

Cabrera then had the mount on Dipping In for trainer H. Ray Ashford, Jr. in the Useeit Stakes for Oklahoma-breds. The 3-year-old filly stopped the timer in 1:40.69 over a fast track to win the one mile contest on the dirt by a length, giving Cabrera his third of four wins on the card.

Trainer Kenny McPeek again gave Cabrera a leg up in the Trapeze Stakes at one mile on the favorite, Oliviaofthedesert. Riding the 2-year-old filly for the first time, Cabrera broke 10th in the field of 10. At the top of the lane, she pushed through an opening on the rail to just get up for the win.

Then on Saturday, Cabrera rode Oklahoma two-time Horse of the Year Welder in an open-company allowance contest, tying the all-time mark for most wins at Remington Park with 15.

“This horse,” said Cabrera, regular rider of Welder, “you have to let him do what he wants to do. If you try something different, he doesn't like it.”

Cabrera led all jockeys by number of stakes wins with weekly stats of 21-7-2-3 and $207,297 in purses.

The native of Mexico notched his 1,000th career win at Prairie Meadows in 2019. In addition to Remington Park, Cabrera rides regularly at Sam Houston Race Park, Lone Star Park, Prairie Meadows and Will Rogers.

Cabrera out-polled Eric Cancel who was leading jockey by purse earnings, Tyler Gaffalione who won the Grade III Mr. Prospector, Luis Saez, leading jockey by number of wins, and Ricardo Santana, Jr. who won two stakes races at Fair Grounds.

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