Jockey Figueroa has career off to fast start

CYPRESS, Calif. - Less than nine months after the start of his career, apprentice jockey Heriberto Figueroa won his first stakes Saturday with Kim K in the $100,000 Barretts Debutante at Los Alamitos.

For the 18-year-old Figueroa, the stakes win was his latest career milestone at Los Alamitos. At the track’s summer meeting, Figueroa tied for the riding title with fellow apprentice Assael Espinoza, a first for both jockeys.

Kim K was Figueroa’s fifth career mount in a stakes, all since Aug. 1 at Del Mar, and his 56th win in the continental United States. Between races on Sunday, Figueroa said he is hopeful the victory will lead to a greater level of attention for better mounts.

“It’s the most important thing right now,” Figueroa said through an interpreter. “It’s been a lot of hard work in the mornings.”

Figueroa began riding in California in May, two months after he moved from his native Puerto Rico to Florida, where he rode briefly at Gulfstream Park.

“I never thought things would go so quickly with the competition in California,” he said.

Figueroa finished fifth in the standings at the Del Mar summer meeting with 19 wins, two less than Espinoza. Drayden Van Dyke led all riders with 42 wins.

At the current Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Los Alamitos, Van Dyke had his first mounts on Sunday. He rode at Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs in recent weeks.

Through Saturday, Figueroa, Espinoza, and Martin Pedroza were tied for the lead in the jockey standings with six wins each. The title may not be decided until closing day, Sept. 23.