Jockey Cristian Torres riding high in Arkansas and Oklahoma

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Jockey Cristian Torres on Saturday was leading the rider standings in two states – Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Torres won four races at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on Saturday – including both stakes - to move into a tie atop the standings with Rafael Bejarano.

Torres on Saturday night also led the standings at Remington Park in Oklahoma. He is now based at Oaklawn, but is scheduled to ride the closing night card next Saturday at Remington Park, according to his agent, Cody Autrey. Torres also is scheduled to ride that afternoon at Oaklawn.

Torres guided Lovey Ride to victory in the $150,000 Mistletoe on Saturday at Oaklawn, two races after winning the $150,000 Ring the Bell with Flash of Mischief. It was Flash of Mischief who took Torres to his first Breeders’ Cup, where the pair finished ninth in last month’s Sprint off a big win in the David M. Vance at Remington.

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“It was an unbelievable experience,” Torres said. “We enjoyed every minute. I told Cody after it was all finished that I’ve got to work harder – I want to go back!”

Torres, a 25-year-old native of Puerto Rico, started his career at Gulfstream Park in Florida. He credits friend Ruben Munoz for opening his eyes to the idea of riding at Oaklawn.

Torres said he grew up with horses and watching races with his grandfather. He said two of his cousins were jockeys.

“My brother is an exercise rider in Ocala, breaking babies for Mark Casse,” Torres said.

Torres missed part of the Oaklawn meet last season due to injury and made his return in the summer at Lone Star Park.

“We started back at Lone Star, the last month and a half of the meet, coming off injury, and finished up that meet strong,” Torres said. “We brought that momentum to Remington and it worked out perfectly.”

Torres had a double-digit lead in the Remington standings through Saturday night. This coming Saturday night he will be active on Remington's card of six stakes led by the $400,000 Springboard Mile, a points race for the Kentucky Derby. Entries for all of the stakes will be taken Wednesday.

Autrey, who has spent time as a trainer, racing manager and bloodstock agent, has been impressed with Torres.

“I think he has a chance to be a really top rider,” he said. “And he’s the nicest kid. He always treats everybody the same, whether they’ve got one horse or 80. I think he has a very big future.”

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