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Jockey David Cabrera Gets 1,500th Win Saturday At Remington Park

Three-time top rider at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., David Cabrera, continues to etch his name in the jockey annals here with five wins on Saturday night, reaching the milestone of 1,500 victories in his career in the process.

Cabrera hit that magic mark when he won the final race of the night on a nine-race card, momentarily checking in the stretch before blasting through a hole down the lane aboard heavy 2-5 wagering favorite My Golden M ($2.80 to win). That gave him five wins for the evening, and 1,500 in his career.

Cabrera has won Remington Park riding titles the past three years, 2018-2020, and is well on his way to his fourth consecutive trophy. His five trips to the winner's circle on Saturday night gave him 69 for the meet. He now leads Stewart Elliott, in second place, with 46 wins.

Cabrera bookended the card with a win in the first race booting home Quinn Ella ($4.40) at 1-1/8th miles on the turf. The 4-year-old filly, owned by Joe Castillo of Porter, Texas, and trained by Ronnie Cravens III, took the opener by three-quarters of a length at 6-5 odds. The race was for 3-year-olds and older in second-level allowance conditions.

The second Cabrera win of the night did not come until the fourth race when he smiled for the camera after Mr B Quiet ($8.80) broke his maiden by eight lengths at 3-1 odds. The 2-year-old gelding by Mr. Besilu, out of the Quiet American mare Bin Quiet, was the most impressive winner for Cabrera, pulling away at the end, beating the bunch of $7,500 maiden claimers by a city block. He is owned by Linda and Michael Mazoch and Austin Gustafson, who also trains that winner.

Cabrera then won the sixth, seventh, and ninth races to complete his huge run. He had mounts in eight of nine races Saturday night. His winner in the sixth was Fred'stwirlincandy ($6.40), who won for the second outing in a row. The 6-year-old gelded son of Twirling Candy, out of the Wimbledon mare Daphne Angela, is one of the most versatile runners at Remington Park, winning on a muddy main track Oct. 27, and then taking to the lawn to win Saturday against $25,000 claimers over the turf course. He went off at 2-1 odds and won by 1-1/4 lengths. Cabrera rode him in both victories. It was his second win of the night for Cravens III. This winner is owned by Jeffrey Hoffman of Wichita Falls, Texas.

The young rider from Jones, Okla., was on fire at this point, taking down the seventh race with Bobbin Tail ($4), the prohibitive even-money favorite. That 3-year-old filly by Tale of Ekati out of the Indian Charlie mare Bobbin' Robin, was one of Cabrera's closest calls of the night, beating conditional allowance horses at the mile distance by a mere neck. In fact, there was an objection made by second-place finisher Itsallinthenotes' jockey, Jose Medina, but the stewards ruled there would be no change. Itsallinthenotes was trying to pull off the major upset as she went off at 74-1 odds, the longest shot by far in the field. Cabrera rode this winner for owner Dream Walkin Farms (Toby Keith) of Norman, Okla. The filly is trained by Kenny Smith.

Cabrera closed out the night with the final trip to the winner's circle aboard My Golden M, a 4-year-old gelding by My Golden Song, out of the Early Flyer mare Early M. She is owned by Kathy Stephens of La Verna, Texas. His chances of getting that fifth win on the night and 1,500th of his career seemed almost inevitable riding this horse at 2-5 odds. It was also the second victory for the top jock by the length of a neck. Cabrera had to ride hard in this spot after being shuffled back and being pulled out wide to rally down the middle of the track. The winner is trained by Hector Echeverria.

Cabrera began his North American riding career in 2013 with 46 wins. His best year thus far was 2018 when he won 236 times. This year has been his top year for horses' earnings starting Saturday night at $6,876,135 from 987 starts for an average earnings mark of $6,967 per start. That compares to 2013 when his horses earned an average $1,372 per start.

The total career earnings for Cabrera, from 8,528 starts tops $34.6 million.

Remington Park racing continues next week with a new schedule. Monday and Tuesday racing in the afternoons gets underway for four weeks, beginning Nov. 15 & 16. The first post time is set for 2:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Each week will conclude with night racing on Fridays and Saturdays, with a regular first post of 7:07 pm. All times are Central.

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Chad Brown Records Tenth Straight Belmont Fall Title; Irad Ortiz Tops Jockey Standings

Chad Brown registered 29 wins to earn his 10th consecutive title at the recently concluded Belmont Park fall meet, while Irad Ortiz, Jr. won three races on Closing Day to pace all jockeys with 33 victories during the 31-day meet.

Inflation Adjusted's win in Sunday's 10th race finale gave Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables its eighth win of the meet, which broke a three-way logjam allowing Klaravich to become leading owner of the Belmont Park fall meet for the fifth consecutive year. Flying P Stable and Michael Dubb each finished with seven wins over the course of the fall meet.

Brown extended his dominance of the Belmont fall meet, posting a record of 29-22-18 from 111 starters with earnings of more than $3.7 million. The four-time Eclipse Award-winner for Outstanding Trainer has won at least a share of the Belmont fall meet every year since 2012. Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher concluded the fall meet with 16 wins. Christophe Clement and Linda Rice registered 16 wins each to tie for third.

NYRA's year-ending leading trainer six years running, Brown saddled eight graded stakes winners at the fall meet, racking up a pair of Grade 1 scores when Rockemperor captured the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on October 9 and Jack Christopher won the $500,000 Champagne on October 2. Brown also sent out Public Sector [Grade 2 Hill Prince], Fluffy Socks [Grade 2 Sands Point], Royal Flag [Grade 2 Beldame], My Sister Nat, [Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Waya] Pocket Square [Grade 3 Athenia] and Sacred Life (Grade 3 Knickerbocker) to graded stakes victories. Shantisara won the $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational.

“I have to just thank my team, my owners and the horses,” Brown said. “Those are the three real key parts to the whole success and I'm very fortunate in all three areas to have the best. I have great horses to work with and terrific owners and a really super talented team and they deserve all the credit.”

Entering Closing Day, a three-way tie for the riding crown set up an exciting slate, with Ortiz, Jr., Luis Saez and Jose Ortiz all tied with 30 wins. But Ortiz, Jr. won three races, guiding Carom to a victory in Race 3, leading the Brown-trained Orglandes to victory in the $150,000 Zagora in Race 4 and winning aboard Big Package in an allowance optional claiming race in Race 8 that proved to the be the difference in the standings.

The 29-year-old Ortiz, Jr. finished with a 33-35-28 record in 177 mounts with earnings of $3.56 million. His brother, Jose Ortiz, challenged him for supremacy up until the final race, finishing second with 32 wins while Saez, who won aboard Rockefeller in the Grade 3, $150,000 Nashua in Race 9, was third with 31 wins.

“It feels great and it's always special every time I win a title in New York,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “This is my hometown. I'm happy, I thank my owners, trainers, my agent for doing a great job and I'm also thankful to stay healthy.”

Ortiz, Jr. was aboard for Brown-trained winners Public Sector and Pocket Square and also racked up wins with Annapolis [Grade 2 Pilgrim], Life Is Good [Grade 2 Kelso], Bubble Rock [Grade 3 Matron] and Arrest Me Red [Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational].

“We always compete no matter what,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “We try to do our best out there so thankfully it paid off with hard work and dedication.”

For the meet, Klaravich Stables posted a record of 8-8-8 from 40 starters, tallying earnings of $894,549.

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Keeneland’s 85th Anniversary Meet Sees Record Handle Of $181 Million

Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., concluded its 2021 Fall Meet, which celebrated the 85th anniversary of racing at the iconic track, on Saturday with quality racing, wagering options for handicappers of all levels, idyllic fall weather and family-friendly special events that combined to generate a track record all-sources wagering total of $181 million for the season.

Keeneland offered a race meet record of $6 million in stakes purses and an expanded stakes schedule of 22 races this fall to further elevate its racing program throughout the meet. Fans responded enthusiastically.

All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the 17-day Fall Meet, held Oct. 8-30, totaled $181,009,626, smashing the record of $164,680,229 set during the 2021 Spring Meet and the previous Fall Meet record of $160,207,916 set in 2019. The total represents a 22 percent increase over last fall's $148,229,708.

“We are so appreciative of the tremendous support from our fans, our horsemen, the Central Kentucky community, our horseplayers, and our corporate partners,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Welcoming fans back to Keeneland this fall, along with the return of our special events and tailgating on The Hill, felt like a breath of fresh air after the restrictions of the past year and a half. It was a terrific way to mark our 85th year of racing and to celebrate the important role Keeneland plays in our community and the horse industry.”

Wagering was boosted when on Fall Stars Saturday, Oct. 9, Keeneland established records for Fall Meet single-day all-sources and Pick 5 wagering, besting previous records set on Fall Stars Saturday in 2019 and 2020, respectively. All-sources handle totaled $20,926,640, surpassing the $18,392,756 set in 2019. Wagering on the All-Stakes Pick 5 totaled $1,255,080 to shatter the former Fall Meet record of $868,303 from 2020.

Keeneland introduced a new wager, the Keeneland Turf Pick 3, with a $3 minimum and 15 percent takeout, tying together the final three turf races of each day. The wager was well received by the public, netting a total handle of $1,683,502, or an average of $112,233 per day. The average payout was over $1,300 for a $3 wager.

On-track wagering for the Fall Meet totaled $15,162,221, for an average of $2,477,890.

Memorable Racing Moments and Milestones

Purses at Keeneland this fall remained among the richest in North America, averaging $880,511 per day, up 29 percent over the 2020 Fall Meet. Average starters per race was 8.7.

To enhance the final days of the season, Keeneland scheduled two new $150,000 juvenile stakes, the Myrtlewood and Bowman Mill; revived the Perryville and Bryan Station, both fixtures for 3-year-olds, and scheduled the Grade 3 Rubicon Valley View and Grade 2 Hagyard Fayette to create multiple stakes cards.

Keeneland featured a deep turf schedule with 12 of its 22 stakes held on the grass, headlined by three Grade 1 events: $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana, and $400,000 First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare.

The Fall Meet showcased a number of Breeders' Cup-bound horses in 10 Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races. Among those winners pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup are Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Rattle N Roll (TVG Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance); Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades winner Juju's Map (NetJets Juvenile Fillies); First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare winner Blowout (GB) (FanDuel Mile Presented by PDJF); Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select winner Averly Jane (Juvenile Turf Sprint); Grade 2 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine winner California Angel (Juvenile Fillies Turf); Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster winner Letruska (Distaff); Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile winner In Love (BRZ) (Mile) and Grade 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix winner Special Reserve (Qatar Racing Sprint).

Another Fall Meet stakes winner pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup is Grade 2 Woodford Presented by TVG winner Golden Pal (Turf Sprint).

“Fans enjoyed a spectacular fall season of racing, and we say a sincere 'thank you' to our owners, trainers, and jockeys for their loyalty and support,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “We are proud of the lucrative purse money and expanded racing opportunities offered during the Fall Meet, and look forward to continuing to strengthen the quality of our program.”

This fall, Keeneland also welcomed two new race sponsors. Castle & Key Distillery, one of Central Kentucky's most popular distillery destinations, sponsored the Grade 2 Bourbon, a Breeders' Cup Challenge event won by Tiz the Bomb, who is pre-entered in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Rubicon, a Lexington-based software company known as “America's technology company” that provides smart waste and recycling solutions to businesses and governments worldwide, became the new sponsor of the Grade 3 Valley View, won by Navratilova.

Among the racing highlights, two owners – Godolphin and G. Watts Humphrey Jr. – achieved their eighth graded stakes win at Keeneland to each earn a Keeneland Tray as part of the track's Milestone Trophy Program. Both were accomplished with homebreds – Godolphin with Caramel Swirl in the Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run and Humphrey with Navratilova in the Rubicon Valley View.

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Fall Meet Leaders

The nation's top owners, trainers, and jockeys competed at Keeneland this fall, and their participation heightened the excitement surrounding the title races.

Eclipse Award-winning rider Tyler Gaffalione dominated a deep jockey colony with 29 wins to earn his second consecutive, and third overall, Fall Meet title. He was also leading rider during Keeneland's 2020 Summer Meet. Gaffalione's record was enhanced by five days on which he rode three or more winners, and he notched a win aboard Averly Jane in the Indian Summer Presented by Keeneland Select.

Florent Geroux finished second in the standings with 16 wins, highlighted by the Darley Alcibiades with Juju's Map and the Perryville with He'smyhoneybadger.

Among the jockeys to notch stakes wins during the Fall Meet were brothers Brian Hernandez Jr. and Colby Hernandez, Corey Lanerie, Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez, Irad Ortiz Jr., Julien Leparoux, Rafael Bejarano, and Javier Castellano.

The battle for leading trainer honors between Brad Cox and Wesley Ward was decided in the final race on closing day. Cox prevailed with 14 victories to secure his second consecutive Fall Meet Keeneland title. Cox also earned the title in the 2018 Spring Meet. Cox's stakes wins were the Darley Alcibiades with Juju's Map and the Perryville with He'smyhoneybadger.

Ward, a seven-time leading trainer at Keeneland, won 13 races, including the Woodford Presented by TVG with Golden Pal and Indian Summer Presented by Keeneland Select with Averly Jane, to rank second in the standings.

Chad Brown and Kenny McPeek were among the other trainers to win two graded stakes this fall. Brown took the First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare with Blowout and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana with Shantisara (IRE). McPeek scored with Rattle N Roll in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and with Tiz the Bomb in the Castle & Key Bourbon.

Brad Kelley's Calumet Farm and Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's Godolphin tied for leading owner with four wins each. It is the first Keeneland owner title for Calumet under Kelley's ownership and the second for Godolphin, who also won in the 2017 Spring Meet.

Fall Meet Special Events Offer Fun and Philanthropy

Keeneland welcomed the on-site return of its popular special events calendar, which exemplified philanthropic goals in keeping with the track's mission to support the Central Kentucky community and horse industry.

Keeneland partnered with valued race sponsors to support community initiatives. Juddmonte and Keeneland donated $10,000 to the Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program. Lexus and Keeneland contributed $5,000 to The MAP Foundation to benefit the Woodhill Community Center.

Current members of the Keeneland jockey colony joined retired riders for an autograph session on Oct. 9 that raised $6,372 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

On Make-A-Wish Day, Oct. 14, Keeneland teamed with local Thoroughbred farms and organizations to grant wishes for 10 deserving children, who, along with their families, enjoyed a VIP day at the races. More than $8,000 was raised from fans who placed donations into the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock.

The following day, Keeneland hosted College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane's End. Full-time college students were eligible to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and one of two $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane's End.

Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon on Oct. 24 honored members of the military and first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and health care workers) and their families with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seats. The afternoon featured lunch provided by City BBQ, children's activities, a spectacular flag unfurling on the main track, and special recognitions and remembrances throughout the day. Keeneland and Rubicon donated $5,000 to the Fraternal Order of Firefighters.

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‘Excitement Is Just Always There’: Tyler Gaffalione On Verge Of Fourth Title At Keeneland

With three days remaining in Keeneland's Fall Meet, Tyler Gaffalione is on his way to earning his fourth title as the track's leading rider. He has 24 victories, 11 more than Florent Geroux in second.

Gaffalione, 27, relishes the experience of competing at Keeneland, where he first won a race during the 2016 Fall Meet and topped the rider standings for the 2018 Fall Meet, 2020 Summer Meet and 2020 Fall Meet.

“There's just so much history here,” Gaffalione said. “The feeling you get when walking on the grounds is like nothing else. With all the colors and the people, it made my first win here very special. It could be a claiming race on a Wednesday, and that excitement is just always there.”

Gaffalione grew up in Ocala, Florida, and followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve Gaffalione, and grandfather, Robert Gaffalione, as a jockey. Immersed in the horse industry at a young age, he received a pony for his fourth birthday. He competed in barrel racing until he was old enough to start exercising racehorses. He began his career as a jockey in 2014 at Gulfstream Park and received the 2015 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice.

Through Oct. 27, Gaffalione has ridden 1,670 winners and the earners of more than $82 million. He rode War of Will to win the 2019 Preakness (G1). His other riding accomplishments include rider titles at Gulfstream and Churchill Downs.

“I've just been so blessed along the way,” Gaffalione said. “I have great support from trainers and owners and all of the horsemen. I don't really even know how to describe it, it's just really exciting.”

In the closing days of Keeneland's Fall Meet, Gaffalione is preparing for the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“You always go in there thinking you have a good chance, but I would say this year is my strongest,” Gaffalione, who has ridden in 28 Breeders' Cup races since 2016. “I've got a couple of nice young horses, and I'm really looking forward to these races.”

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