The first weekend of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet saw veteran rider Kendrick Carmouche surge to the top of the standings, posting nine wins, a pair of runner-up efforts and a third-place finish in 27 mounts, registering five more wins than the next-closest rider in Pablo Morales with one-sixth of the 18-day meet concluded.
The long-time New York stalwart made a name for himself on the Parx circuit, winning seven riding titles there from 2008-11 and earning induction into its Hall of Fame in 2015. But racing in the highly competitive NYRA circuit has still seen the 36-year-old earn trips to the winner's circle, including aboard Malathaat in the $100,000 Tempted on Friday. That marked a memorable day that also saw him pilot Microsecond to victory in the day's seventh race, earning trainer Todd Pletcher his 5,000th career win.
“Coming from Parx, I could win three, four, sometimes five races a day there, and to come to New York, I've been here for five years and I think the work I've been putting in, you can see it now,” Carmouche said. “I've had a lot of support from my family and the fans and the owners and trainers, they've been great and it means a lot.
“No matter who I'm on, I'm trying to put the horse in the best position for my horse to win,” he added. “I'm putting my horse in the best position. Once I get that, I'm going to try and win it from there. If I don't get the job done, that's the way it is. But it's tough riding with the best riders in New York. I feel like I'm doing good for my situation, I just need to work a little bit harder and do things a little bit different. The hard work is paying off.”
Entering Thursday, Carmouche had posted a winning percentage of 33.33 percent and has finished in the money in more than 44 percent of his starts this meet, compiling earnings of $432,503.
For his career, which started with his first victory in 2000, Carmouche has amassed 3,300 wins in more than 20,000 starts, notching earnings in excess of $112 million and six career Grade 2 wins, including this year aboard Fire At Will in the Pilgrim.
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