Churchill Downs Update: Veteran Jockey Garcia Finds Spark With Three Straight Wins

Nov 10, 2024

Veteran jockey Martin Garcia capped off a standout week on Saturday with his third consecutive win as he guided Horace Mann to victory at Churchill Downs. Garcia’s win streak began with his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) triumph last Friday aboard Citizen Bull and followed with a win Wednesday on Sweet Trouble, which marked a bright turn in Garcia’s season.

“It feels great to get back to the winner’s circle,” Garcia said. “I’m glad people haven’t forgotten about me. I’m still here and riding as hard as I can.”

Despite a relatively low win total this year (29 through Saturday), Garcia’s recent performances have demonstrated his resilience. Represented by retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Garcia reunited with trainer Bob Baffert this summer at Del Mar when he rode Citizen Bull to victory in a maiden special weight contest and retained the mount for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

“It was so exciting to win the Juvenile,” Garcia said. “My horse was just cruising on the lead, and when I asked him to run, he just took off.”

Garcia’s career began in 2005 after he moved from Mexico to California where he began working as a cook before discovering his knack for riding. In 2006, he tied Hall of Famer Russell Baze for the riding title at Bay Meadows and, within a few years, he was riding for Baffert. Garcia has won numerous Grade I races, including the 2010 Preakness (GI) aboard Lookin at Lucky and the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) on Bayern. He also was the regular work rider for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Garcia and Stevens will continue to team together this winter at Oaklawn.

 

CHEMINAUD MARKS RETURN TO KENTUCKY CIRCUIT WITH SATURDAY MAIDEN WIN – Jockey Vincent Cheminaud made a successful return to Churchill Downs on Saturday when he piloted 2-year-old Maui Strong to victory in a maiden special weight contest on the turf. The win, for owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Blue Devil Racing Stable, Edwin Barker, and trainer Dale Romans, highlighted Cheminaud’s reentry into the Kentucky circuit.

A former rider for Juddmonte in France, Cheminaud has set his sights on more consistent opportunities in Kentucky, where he is now represented by Jake Romans.

“It’s great to be back here at Churchill Downs,” Cheminaud remarked. “I’m looking forward to riding in Kentucky the rest of the year.”

Prior to shifting his tack back to Kentucky, Cheminaud was riding this year at tracks across the Mid-Atlantic and Tampa Bay Downs. He plans to ride at Turfway Park this winter.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Live racing resumed Sunday at Churchill Downs for a 10-race card that had a first post of 1 p.m. Following steady overnight and early-morning rain, the main track was listed as “sloppy” and the two turf races were transferred to the main track. … Following dark days Monday and Tuesday, live racing will resume on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule with daily first posts of 1 p.m. The racing week will be highlighted by the 26th Claiming Crown held Saturday. … Trainer Dallas Stewart began Sunday one win away from 1,000-career victories. He had two entries in Races 5 and 8. … For more information about the Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.