Apprentice Hazlewood's outstanding fall makes him an Eclipse Award contender
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In June, apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood’s burgeoning career was put on hold when he and a fellow jockey were involved in a late-night car accident driving back from New York. The 17-year-old rider underwent surgery on his wrist and missed two months. It was a profound wake-up call.
“The accident helped me to be able to understand and be more mature about this,” Hazlewood said through a translator. “To get an opportunity like this, you will never get it again and you don’t want to waste it.”
Since making his return in August, it’s safe to say that Hazlewood has not wasted another second. After easing back into action at Delaware Park at the end of the summer, the apprentice jockey returned home to Laurel Park in September and set the track ablaze.
With three days remaining in the Laurel fall meet, Hazlewood has 64 victories from 277 starts, having locked up his first riding title with weeks to spare. Jevian Toledo, second in the standings, trails well behind with 34 wins.
In many ways, Hazlewood’s winning streak this fall was more impressive than his win total and impending title. On 23 straight race days in which he appeared at Laurel between Oct. 31 and Dec. 20, he earned at least one victory. Much of this success came down to an especially strong connection with trainer Gary Capuano, who enjoyed a brilliant season with juvenile runners. In their last 46 starts at Laurel, Capuano and Hazlewood have struck at a 43 percent clip with 20 victories.
As if 277 mounts at Laurel weren’t enough, Hazlewood also has made his mark in Pennsylvania and New York this fall. At Parx Racing, the young rider has begun working with Jamie Ness, winning 8 of 16 starts for the leading trainer. Ness heard the buzz around Hazlewood early on, and when opportunities arose at Parx this fall, the trainer surprised his unsuspecting rivals with the hottest jockey in the region.
“Nobody up here really knew about him, but he’s really catching their eyes now,” Ness said. “Visually, Ray Charles could see that this kid can really ride. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I haven’t seen a young, polished bug boy this good for I don’t know how long. Maybe ever.”
On Dec. 11, Hazlewood made his first trip to Aqueduct, earning three mounts on a Thursday card. After a runner-up finish aboard Book of Wisdom in a $10,000 claiming race, he guided the Rick Dutrow-trained gelding Neon Bordeaux to a photo-finish victory in a starter allowance.
Trainer Jose Corrales, who helped Hazlewood travel from Panama to Maryland and heavily touted his arrival, said that he has received multiple calls since the apprentice’s successful outing in New York. Before his accident over the summer, there was talk of Hazlewood riding in New York and Kentucky in the near future, but for now, Laurel remains his focus.
“I’m just waiting for the best option or the best opportunity that can happen for me,” Hazlewood said. “I don’t want to make plans.”
After the accident, Corrales, who also helped jockeys Walter Rodriguez and Gerardo Corrales early in their careers, held out hope that Hazlewood could finish the year strong enough to win the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice. That dream is once again possible, as Hazlewood is expected to be a serious contender for the award after his torrid fall campaign.
“The Eclipse is a dream for most kids in Panama,” Hazlewood said. “They dream and wish to be in that kind of thing. [For apprentices], this is the only time in your life you have a chance to do that.”
Smashing success at an early age has radically changed Hazlewood’s life. Back home in Panama, the teen has already bought a house for his mother, while also sharing with his siblings and other family members. His immense talent has thrust him into a profoundly mature lifestyle at a young age. Just as the saddle provided its challenges, it has taken time for him to adjust to life away from the track as well.
“I tell him that I want him to understand one thing,” Corrales said. “Don’t look at the money that you make or even the winners. Look how far you want to go in this business. Where is your purpose? Concentrate on doing the right thing for everybody.”
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In a whirlwind year that began working horses in Panama, Hazlewood has had enough triumphs and setbacks to fill a decade. Out of action at a crucial point in his early career, the young man surged back into the limelight in the Mid-Atlantic, becoming an unavoidable presence who literally could not go a day without winning. He has learned and grown, often by necessity, and with an opportunity firmly in hand, every path ahead seems exciting and bright.
Mandatory payouts Sunday
To close out the fall meet, Laurel Park will “force out” all pools on Sunday, Dec. 28. Wagers with mandatory payouts will include the early and late pick five, Jackpot Super High 5, and the Chesapeake Pick 6.
Entering the Friday card, the carryover for the Chesapeake Pick 6 stands at $3,736, while the carryover for the Jackpot Super High 5 is $3,098. The maximum wager restriction will be removed for both bets on Sunday.
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