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Abel Castellano captured his first year-long riding title in Maryland in 2012.
Castellano, 29, finished the year with 132 victories, 11 more than 2011 champion Sheldon Russell, including 59 in the fall meet that ended Dec. 31 at Laurel Park. He also tied for first among locally based jockeys with eight stakes wins, including five aboard Bold Affair.
The totals include racing at Laurel and Pimlico, but not those at the short Maryland State Fair at Timonium meet.
“To win my first year-round title means a lot,” said Castellano, who has been a regular rider in Maryland since 2003. “I have come a long way since arriving here. I now have a wife and we have been blessed with three kids. They are part of my success and why I work so hard, along with my agent Kevin Witte, in trying to win as many races as I can each and every day. There were many trainers who gave us an opportunity but I might not have won the championship without Jamie Ness, who trusted me the entire year.”
Castellano teamed up with Ness for 69 victories.
Ness, 38, saddled 83 winners to lead all trainers in Maryland during 2012. He finished 16 ahead of Dane Kobiskie. Working for Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ness led all trainers in the U.S. with 396 victories.
Best Bets
GHOSTLY APPEAL has been on the sidelines for more than nine months. She'll be hard to deny on the drop from $12,500 N2L to $5,000 N2L if she's ready to roll in her return. WINTER ROCKET made up ground late, but still finished in the rear-half of the pack when she was overmatched against Louisiana-bred $12,500 N2L's in her return from a freshening. She'll be a factor in the exotics on the class drop to open $5,000 N2L. SHE'S BONAFIDE didn't show as much early speed as usual, then rallied to challenge for the lead.
