Gomez wins second Shoemaker Award

Garrett Gomez became the first rider to win the Shoemaker Award for outstanding jockey at the Breeders' Cup a second time after he won two races Saturday in the BC World Championships at Monmouth Park.

Gomez won the $2 million BC Juvenile Fillies aboard Indian Blessing and the $2 million BC Sprint aboard Midnight Lute, marking the second time he has won two BC races on one card. Gomez also won two races in 2005 when honored with the Shoemaker Award at Belmont Park.

This was the fifth year for the Shoemaker Award, which is voted on by the international media attending the Breeders' Cup. Previous winners were Alex Solis in 2003, John Velazquez in 2004, Gomez in 2005, and Frankie Dettori in 2006.

Gomez, 35, appears on his way to his first Eclipse Award for top jockey, as he holds a comfortable lead atop the North American jockey standings with nearly $20 million in earnings, not counting what his mounts have earned overseas.

Gomez is one of 18 different jockey to have won two BC races in a day; counting multiple two-win days for several riders, the feat has been accomplished 29 times. No rider has ever won as many as three races at the Breeders' Cup.