Ortiz, McMahon - Laurel Park Winter Meet Titles
Apr 1, 2013 0:20:37 GMT -5
Post by racinggal on Apr 1, 2013 0:20:37 GMT -5
Ortiz, McMahon Capture Laurel Park Winter Meet Titles
LAUREL, MD., 03-30-13---The Laurel Park winter meeting ended today with apprentice rider Yomar Ortiz and veteran trainer Hugh McMahon winning individual titles. The 50-day stand began at the central Maryland track on January 1.
Ortiz topped the jockey standings with 57 first place finishes, six more than fellow apprentice Trevor McCarthy. The 21-year-old had 16 multiple win days during the meet, including four three-win afternoons.
“It was a battle until the end,” Ortiz said. “Trevor McCarthy was winning races at a high rate and it wasn’t settled into the last couple days.”
Maryland-based apprentice riders have captured nine of the 42 Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Apprentice with Chris McCarron (1974), Ronnie Franklin (1978), Alberto Delgado (1982), Allen Stacy (1986), Kent Desormeaux (1987), Mike Luzzi (1989), Mark Johnston (1990), Jeremy Rose (2001) and Ryan Fogelsonger (2002) all being honored. The last dominating apprentice in the state was Rosie Napravnik, who won 279 races during her bug year (2005-2006).
Ortiz won races for 19 different trainers, including 16 for McMahon, who topped the trainer standings with 34 winners, 17 more than Mike Trombetta and Juan Vazquez. McMahon, a former rider and longtime assistant to Scott Lake, won races at a 32% rate.
“Amazing,” McMahon said. “I was speaking to someone this morning about people winning at such a ridiculous rate. You don’t ever think that is going to be you. I am thankful to be in this place. We have been blessed.”
The McMahon barn had seven multiple win afternoons, including three win days on January 19 and February 6. Stolen Chevy and St. John’s Gospel each visited the winners’ circle three times. The latter has finished on the board in 14 of his last 15 races with eight victories.
“That one has a sweet spot in my heart because of the name. It is my favorite book in the Bible which had to do with why I claimed him,” added McMahon. “It seems we have a bond and it has been nice to see his form reversal.”
The Jim Stable (King Leatherbury) topped the owner standings with 12 victories. Leatherbury finished fourth in the trainer standings with 15 winners from 64 starters.
Live racing shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course on Thursday, April 4 for the 36-day spring meeting, headlined by the 138th running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, on May 18. First post for opening day is 1:10 p.m.
www.laurelpark.com/race-info/news/ortiz-mcmahon-capture-laurel-park-winter-meet-titles
LAUREL, MD., 03-30-13---The Laurel Park winter meeting ended today with apprentice rider Yomar Ortiz and veteran trainer Hugh McMahon winning individual titles. The 50-day stand began at the central Maryland track on January 1.
Ortiz topped the jockey standings with 57 first place finishes, six more than fellow apprentice Trevor McCarthy. The 21-year-old had 16 multiple win days during the meet, including four three-win afternoons.
“It was a battle until the end,” Ortiz said. “Trevor McCarthy was winning races at a high rate and it wasn’t settled into the last couple days.”
Maryland-based apprentice riders have captured nine of the 42 Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Apprentice with Chris McCarron (1974), Ronnie Franklin (1978), Alberto Delgado (1982), Allen Stacy (1986), Kent Desormeaux (1987), Mike Luzzi (1989), Mark Johnston (1990), Jeremy Rose (2001) and Ryan Fogelsonger (2002) all being honored. The last dominating apprentice in the state was Rosie Napravnik, who won 279 races during her bug year (2005-2006).
Ortiz won races for 19 different trainers, including 16 for McMahon, who topped the trainer standings with 34 winners, 17 more than Mike Trombetta and Juan Vazquez. McMahon, a former rider and longtime assistant to Scott Lake, won races at a 32% rate.
“Amazing,” McMahon said. “I was speaking to someone this morning about people winning at such a ridiculous rate. You don’t ever think that is going to be you. I am thankful to be in this place. We have been blessed.”
The McMahon barn had seven multiple win afternoons, including three win days on January 19 and February 6. Stolen Chevy and St. John’s Gospel each visited the winners’ circle three times. The latter has finished on the board in 14 of his last 15 races with eight victories.
“That one has a sweet spot in my heart because of the name. It is my favorite book in the Bible which had to do with why I claimed him,” added McMahon. “It seems we have a bond and it has been nice to see his form reversal.”
The Jim Stable (King Leatherbury) topped the owner standings with 12 victories. Leatherbury finished fourth in the trainer standings with 15 winners from 64 starters.
Live racing shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course on Thursday, April 4 for the 36-day spring meeting, headlined by the 138th running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, on May 18. First post for opening day is 1:10 p.m.
www.laurelpark.com/race-info/news/ortiz-mcmahon-capture-laurel-park-winter-meet-titles