Chad Brown in the winner’s circle. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
Chad Brown Clinches Training Title At Belmont At The Big A Fall Meet; Manny Franco Leading Jockey
Paradise Farms Corp. ties with Linda Rice as leading owner
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown won his 36th individual training title on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit when leading all trainers with 32 wins at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet, which ran from September 11 through November 2.
Brown, 46, captured four races on Sunday’s Closing Day card as part of a solid 109-32-24-11 record, to secure his 14th consecutive Belmont fall title.
“My team has done an unbelievable job – not only my team at Belmont, but my surrounding teams when we ship horses in – everyone has contributed,” Brown said. “We have a diverse group of horses to work with from so many loyal clients. It all just works together nicely here and we’re happy to be in New York.”
Brown’s stakes triumphs at the meet included graded wins with Asbury Park [G2 Jockey Club Derby Inv.] and Village Voice [G3 Waya] to go along with a Listed victory by Whiskey Decision [Athenia]. His others stakes scores were notched by Salamis [Gio Ponti] and Rated by Merit [Discovery].
Brown’s horses banked in excess of $2.7 million with a win rate of 29.36 percent and in-the-money rate of 61.47 percent.
Brown noted he is eagerly anticipating the return of live racing to the new Belmont Park in September 2026 in a reimagined facility centered around a five-story building featuring the modern amenities and hospitality offerings fans now expect from world-class sports and entertainment venues.
“I’m very excited about it although racing at Aqueduct is part of the rich history of New York racing,” Brown said. “Not coming here anymore will be a big change and a little bittersweet but I look forward to moving into this fabulous, state-of-the-art modernized facility – not only the world-class surfaces to race and train on – but also the accommodations for the owners, patrons and horseplayers. I’m really looking forward to integrating it all into my business because it’s a big picture for me – racing in New York and the whole experience – to make sure the owners are comfortable to see their horses train and race.”
When complete, Belmont Park will feature four racing surfaces: the traditional 1 1/2-mile dirt main track, two turf courses, and a one-mile Tapeta track, which will serve as the exclusive surface for winter racing.
“This facility, I’m really excited for it for the staff, horses, clients and even the horseplayers that support us every day. It’s a win all around for everyone participating in New York,” Brown said.
Linda Rice finished second in the trainer standings with 26 wins while Mike Maker finished third with 20 wins.
Jockey Manny Franco picked up his third Belmont at the Big A fall meet title, posting 40 wins.
“I’m thankful to everyone that gives me the opportunity to ride here every day. My agent, John Panagot, has been doing a terrific job,” Franco said. “I’m so happy to get another New York riding title and I’m blessed to be in this spot. Every win counts and I don’t take anything for granted. I come here every day with a mind to do well. I’m happy everything went well this meet.”
The 30-year-old native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, who previously captured the Belmont fall meet title in 2023 [34 wins] and 2019 [44 wins], is currently the leading rider on the NYRA circuit with 174 wins.
Franco posted a record of 40-30-24 topped by graded stakes wins with Asbury Park for trainer Chad Brown in the Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby Invitational: and a pair for trainer Miguel Clement, scoring with Bottas in the Grade 2 Pilgrim and with Love Cervere in the Grade 3 Glen Cove.
He also captured the Discovery with Rated by Merit and enjoyed New York-bred stakes success with Spirit of New York [Bertram F. Bongard], Slapintheface [Mohawk] and Bank Frenzy in last weekend’s $250,000 Empire Classic.
Franco, who was also NYRA’s year-end leading rider from 2018-19 and in 2023, saw his mounts bank in excess of $3.3 million at the meet, good for a win rate of 22.73 percent and in-the-money percentage of 53.41. Ricardo Santana, Jr. and Flavien Prat tied for second with 33 wins.
Peter Proscia’s Paradise Farms Corp. shared their first owners’ title on the NYRA circuit, posting a record of 21-10-3-1 with total purse earnings of $571,590 to secure a tie with Linda Rice.
Chief among Paradise Farms Corp.’s wins was an impressive victory by the undefeated New York-bred Letmecounttheways in the Maid of the Mist versus fellow state-breds on last weekend’s Empire Showcase Day card. Paradise Farms Corp. are also the co-owners of The Wine Steward, who captured the Mohawk on Empire Showcase day.
A tremendous meet as owner and trainer for Rice included a starter allowance score here Saturday by Three B’s. As owner, Rice posted a record of 36-10-8-3 for total purse earnings of $422,593.
Rudy Rodriguez landed third in the owner standings with seven wins.
Live racing resumes Thursday on Opening Day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack with a nine-race card, featuring the rescheduled Listed $150,000 Tempted in Race 2 and the Listed $150,000 Chelsey Flower in Race 6. First post is 12:10 p.m. Eastern.
