Belterra: Ouzts moves into 12th place among all-time leading riders
Perry Ouzts moved into 12th place on the all-time list of winningest jockeys by riding three winners Saturday at Belterra Park in Cincinnati.
Ouzts, who will turn 61 this summer, passed Hall of Fame rider Sandy Hawley with his 6,451st win when he guided Olympio’s Gal to a wire-to-wire victory in the final race on Saturday’s program.
He now needs just 20 more wins to move ahead of his cousin, Hall of Fame rider Earlie Fires.
“That would give me bragging rights as the winningest jockey in Riverdale, Arkansas,” said Ouzts, who grew up there with Fires, who retired with 6,470 wins.
Ouzts brushed away speculation he might retire after moving past Fires.
“Why would I retire when I’m having so much fun?,” he said “I turned 60 last year and had my best season with over $2 million in purse earnings, my first time riding at Santa Anita, and capturing the title here by a record 91 wins.
“I love this game and I still come out in the mornings about five times a week. It doesn’t matter how old you are, people will keep riding you.”