OCEANPORT, N.J. – Jockey Isaac Castillo woke up Saturday thinking he had a chance to have a solid day with 11 mounts on Monmouth Park’s 12-race card.
But he never expected a career-best six winners – for five different trainers.
The 24-year-old Panamian came within one win of Paco Lopez’s track record for winners in a day, while eclipsing his person-best showing of five winners on June 1 at Monmouth Park.
“You never expect to win six in a day, especially at a track like Monmouth Park, where there are so many good jockeys. So it’s a surprise to me,” said Castillo. “All of the horses ran great for me. It’s a special day for me. It feels really good.”
Castillo won from five furlongs to a mile and a quarter and split the victories equally – three on the dirt, three on the grass. He is currently second in the rider standings with 29 wins to Lopez’s 35.
Lopez, seeking his ninth Monmouth Park riding title, has won seven winners in a day at the Jersey Shore track three times, most recently on Aug. 28, 2021.
“When I looked at the races, I was in I thought I had a chance to win a few, but not six,” he said. “I have to give credit to the trainers for getting these horses ready. It’s a big accomplishment.”
Castillo won the first race with Skillful ($7.00) for Patricia Farro, the second race with Wild Mule ($4.20) for Jerry Hollendorfer, the seventh race with Mercury Head ($17.60) for Lindsay Schultz, the eighth race with Coach Adams ($4.40) for Hollendorfer, the ninth race with Starting Over ($19.20) for Robert Falcone and the 10th race with Takeittocommittee ($6.80) for Rory Huston.
Castillo rode two of the three winners of the day for Hollendorfer, now second in the trainer standings with 12 winners. Claudio Gonzalez, who won three races on Friday, tops the standings with 13 winners, with Kelly Breen third with 10.
Tom Lucci/Monmouth Park
Photo: Jockey Isaac Castillo celebrates his sixth win on the card at Monmouth Park aboard Takeittocomittee in the 10th race on Saturday July 2.. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
