Apprentice Luis Cardenas off to fast start

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Apprentice jockey Luis Cardenas has learned his lessons quickly. He won two races on Sunday’s card and now has five wins from just 48 mounts to begin his career.

With his fifth win, Cardenas went from riding with a 10-pound weight allowance to a seven-pound allowance. Once he reaches 35 victories, he will become a five-pound apprentice, or “bug boy” as they are known for the bug-like asterisk notation in the program.

Cardenas, a 22-year-old from Peru, only began riding on Dec. 12. He scored his first winner on Jan. 10 aboard Solitary Gem. On Sunday, he won with two of three mounts while finishing second on his third.

◗ Post times will once again be on the move at Aqueduct. Beginning Saturday, first post will be 1 p.m. for a nine-race card and 1:20 p.m. for an eight-race card. Beginning Feb. 20, first post will be 1:20 p.m. for an eight- or nine-race card.