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Castellano scores career win 3,000
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| Castellano claimed the 3000th win of his career on Friday
(Adam Coglianese Photography) |
Jockey Javier Castellano rode the 3,000th winner of his career Friday
at Gulfstream Park, guiding Virtuously to a thrilling late-closing
victory in the
6TH race.
"It feels great. It was time. I stayed patient and rode the same way
I always ride," Castellano said. "I've been very blessed to have all the
support from all the owners and all the trainers and my agent, Matt
Muzikar. People think it's only myself, but it's not. I have a lot of
help."
The 34-year-old native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, who currently leads
the jockey standings at Gulfstream with 71 victories, had ridden four
winners on Thursday's card at Gulfstream to put him in the position of
winning on one of five mounts Friday to reach the career milestone.
"Florida is my home. I ride in New York, but this is where I rode
first when I came to this country," said Castellano, who is scheduled to
ride at Fair Grounds on Saturday. "I love Florida; I love the people;
they've supported me my whole career."
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Castellano reached 3000 on his third mount of the day. Virtuously
dropped far off an extremely fast pace set by favored Scootles in the
one-mile turf race. The Dale Romans-trained daughter of Congrats
remained several lengths back as the field turned into the homestretch
before responding to Castellano's urging and launching an impressive
wide drive to catch the tiring pacesetter by three-quarters of a length.
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| Castellano earned his 3000th win ahead of a big weekend of racing
(Adam Coglianese Photography) |
Castellano began his riding career in Venezuela in 1996 before venturing to
the United States the following year. He rode his first winner, Phone Man, at
Calder shortly upon his arrival.
A prominent rider on the New York-Gulfstream circuit for several years,
Castellano counts 2006 Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini, and 2004 Horse of the
Year and Breeders' Cup Classic victor Ghostzapper among the top horses he has
ridden during his career.
Having reached 3000 career wins, Castellano has set a more immediate goal on
his way to No. 4000.
"I hope this Sunday we have a great performance," said Castellano, "and
hopefully find the right horse to the (Kentucky) Derby."
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The jockey has a number of viable Derby options this season. He will pilot
the Todd Pletcher-trained El Padrino in Saturday's Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair
Grounds, and has already been forced to make a tough choice between two mounts
in Sunday's Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. He opted to
ride the Pletcher-trained Algorithms, the undefeated winner of the Grade 3 Holy
Bull and morning-line favorite for the Fountain of Youth, over Union Rags, whom
he guided to victories in the Grade 1 Champagne and Grade 2 Saratoga Special
last year.
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