Javier Castellano hires new agent

John Panagot, racing manager for owner Robert LaPenta, has taken on a second job – as agent for four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Javier Castellano.

Castellano retained the services of Panagot over the weekend after parting ways with Mike Lakow, who had been his agent since September 2016.

Through Sunday, Castellano had 79 wins from 367 starts in 2018. He ranks 14th in wins and fifth in purse money won with $7.4 million.

“I’d like to ride for 10 more years, but the way my business is going right now I don’t think I could reach my goal,” Castellano said. “I’d like to be more competitive in the game.”

Castellano said he is fine with Panagot continuing to work as LaPenta’s racing manager.

“The job he does as racing manager, it doesn’t take too much time to do that,” Castellano said. “I think it could help me with the relationship with Mr. LaPenta.”

Panagot thanked LaPenta “for the platform that he gave me these past couple of years, what he’s put into the game, and the opportunity he gave me to put me in a position to get a job like that.”

“I was lucky enough that Javier recognized that,” he said. “I’m excited for the opportunity.”