Eclipse-winning apprentice Kimura to ride at Gulfstream until Woodbine opens

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Kazushi Kimura, the 2019 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey, worked a horse for trainer Bill Tharrenos Friday morning at Gulfstream Park and plans to ride locally until returning to his home base at Woodbine prior to the opening of the 2020 season on April 18.

Kimura said because of visa restrictions, he is only permitted to accept mounts from Canadian-based horsemen while in South Florida.

“I have a couple of more horses to work tomorrow [Saturday] if the weather is okay and hopefully I’ll be able to start riding races here by next week,” said Kimura. “I’m so happy to be here and very excited to be riding at Gulfstream Park. I’m only 20 years old and still need more education and experience. There are so many good riders here, this is the best place for me to learn right now.”

Kimura’s agent, Jordan Miller, is not on the grounds. But he has been working the phones contacting many of his rider’s regular Woodbine clients who are wintering at Gulfstream Park.

“Kazushi will probably stay here until around the third week in March, when it will be time to return home to start working horses in preparation for the opening at Woodbine,” said Miller. “I know Bill [Tharrenos] was very happy with the way his horse worked this morning and I have a few mounts tentatively lined up for him next week.

“We ride regularly for most of the Canadian trainers based here during the winter and I had given them all a heads that Kazushi was going to be there to ride after the Eclipse Awards.”