Canchari savors win aboard $6,250 claimer

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Alex Canchari is coming off the best year of his career and has continued that momentum this winter at Oaklawn Park, where he ranked fourth in the standings through Thursday. But of his 27 winners at this meet, there is one who stands out: Dixie Lover.

Canchari, 23, won a $6,250 claiming race with the mare on the Southwest Stakes card Feb. 20, and for him, it was as if he had won that afternoon’s prep for the Arkansas Derby.

“That’s the most satisfying winner of my meet,” Canchari said. “I rode a winner for my dad.”

Canchari’s father, retired jockey Luis Canchari, owned Dixie Lover, but there will be no chance for a family repeat at this meet.

“They claimed her,” said Alex Canchari.

Still, there was another family highlight at the track Thursday, when Canchari’s brother, jockey Patrick Canchari, won with his first mount since September, scoring by a neck aboard Divine Counsil ($17). Patrick Canchari had been sidelined by a collarbone injury and will be riding “here and there” for the remainder of the Oaklawn meet before both brothers head to Canterbury Park in Minnesota, said Alex Canchari.

Until then, Alex Canchari will be looking for a strong finish to the Oaklawn meet that runs through April 15. He will ride the multiple stakes winner Super Saks in the Sunday feature, a race that could produce starters for next month’s $150,000 Carousel.

Last year, Canchari won 140 races from 851 starts for mount earnings of $3.5 million. Both his wins and mount earnings were career highs for the rider, who won his first race in 2012 at Oaklawn. At this meet, Canchari’s mounts have earned $827,736.

“Everything’s been going right,” Canchari said. “I’ve got a really good agent, a lot of support from good trainers and good owners, and I’m riding good horses.”

Canchari said he’s riding for a wide assortment of barns, including longtime patrons Mac Robertson and Ernie Witt.