LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Florent Geroux’s success after last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships continued at Churchill Downs as he vaulted to the top of the rider standings after he won with seven of his last 11 mounts beneath the Twin Spires.
“We’ve been on a great run,” said Geroux, who won aboard Aunt Pearl and Monomoy Girl at the Breeders’ Cup. “It was an incredible weekend aboard some fantastic horses. Now, back at Churchill, we’re continuing to do well.”
In total, Geroux recorded 16 wins through Friday’s halfway mark of the 24-day Fall Meet. Geroux, typically the first-call rider for trainer Brad Cox, has recorded victories for 10 different trainers at the meet. Besides Cox, Geroux has also recorded wins for Tom Amoss, Rusty Arnold, Juan Cano, Wayne Catalano, Phil D’Amato, Eddie Kenneally, Mike Maker, Tom Van Berg and Brian Williamson.
“We had a great Breeders’ Cup weekend next to Brad’s four wins,” said Geroux, who is represented by veteran agent Doug Bredar. “I’ve stuck with Brad for a long time and it’s been a snowball effect over the last few years – not only at the Breeders’ Cup but just for our business in general.
“It’s been a challenging year when we stopped racing over the winter with the pandemic. We’ve been very grateful to be able to run and do our job through this.”
Geroux was named to ride six horses on Sunday’s program and 10 on Wednesday and Thursday. He remained one win ahead of Tyler Gaffalione and Ricardo Santana Jr. in the jockey standings.
CHILUKKI STAKES PROBABLES – Next Saturday’s program is highlighted by the $100,000 Chilukki (Grade II) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the dirt.
Here are the early probable entrants, according to Churchill Downs assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork: Gold Standard (trainer Brad Cox), Grand Cru Classe (Bill Mott), Istan Council (Larry Jones), Sanenus (Michael McCarthy); and Whoa Nellie (Jones).
Entries for Saturday’s program will be taken on Wednesday.
DOWN THE STRETCH – There was a $114, 107 carryover in the 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot for racing on Saturday. First post was 1 p.m. and the Single 6 spanned Races 6-11. … Agent Steve Krajcir reported he will now represent Jon Court and Fernando De La Cruz for the remainder of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet. Previously Krajcir represented Calvin Borel and Court but Borel will now be self-represented. … Jockey Rocco Bowen was on the Churchill Downs backside Saturday morning with former jockey turned agent Joe Steiner. The duo, who were longtime staples on the west coast, relocated to the mid-west in 2020. Bowen has been riding at Indiana Grand but is expected to take calls for the final two week of the Churchill Downs meet. … Several jockeys are expected to ship to New Orleans over the next several days to begin preparing for the Fair Grounds meet. Among those scheduled to leave early is Mitchell Murrill and Miguel Mena. … For more information and to purchase tickets for the Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
Press Release
Photo: Florent Geroux (Susie Raisher)
