Apprentice Cristian Torres starts strong

Cristian Torres already has accomplished far more than he could have rightfully expected. So when voting results for the 2019 Eclipse Awards are announced early next month, Torres will regard being named a finalist for outstanding apprentice rider as a bonus.

“I never expected things would be going so good,” Torres, 22, told Gulfstream Park publicity last weekend. “I just have to keep working hard and keep going forward.”

Torres has ranked among the leading riders at Gulfstream in South Florida since launching his career in April. Through last weekend, he had 120 wins and $3.39 million in mount earnings, totals that stack up closely with those of the other likely Eclipse finalists, Julio Correa (124 wins, $3.42 million) and Kazushi Kamura (117 wins, $3.7 million), whose apprenticeship ended in late October.

Torres is a graduate of the same jockey school in his native Puerto Rico that produced such superstars as John Velazquez and the Ortiz brothers, Irad and Jose.

“I always wanted to be a jockey since I was a kid,” Torres said. “In Puerto Rico I was around horses growing up always and I always wanted to ride.”

Kevin Meyocks is the agent for Torres, who will continue to ride with a five-pound allowance until his apprenticeship expires next May.

The 49th Eclipse Awards will be held Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.