Kazushi Kimura to ride the Del Mar meet

Kazushi Kimura, who finished in a tie for eighth in the jockey standings at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting earlier this year, will ride at Del Mar for the first time later this summer.

In a phone interview on Friday, Kimura said he plans to leave his current base at Woodbine, near Toronto, in the days before Del Mar begins its summer meeting on July 20.

“I want the new experience for my racing career,” he said. “Now is the time to do it.

“Always going to a new place, it will be tough for business. I’ve got the opportunities to ride.”

A native of Japan, Kimura, 24, was recognized as Canada’s outstanding rider from 2021 through last year, the seasons in which he was leading rider at Woodbine. Through Thursday, Kimura was sixth in the standings at Woodbine with 13 wins, six less than leader Sahin Civaci.

At Del Mar, Kimura will ride for trainers such as Bob Baffert and Phil D’Amato, who are among the annual leaders at the summer meeting.

For Baffert, Kimura has won two graded stakes on Mr Fisk at Santa Anita since late April, including the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 27.

Baffert said Juan Hernandez, the leading rider at Santa Anita’s winter-spring meeting, and Kimura will be active for his stable at Del Mar.

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“I told him to come down there,” Baffert said of Kimura. “He’ll be able to pick up some good ones.

“I think he’s a very talented rider. It will be good for him. He’s been wanting to make the step up. This is the time to do it at Del Mar.

“I think he’s got the makings to be a top rider.”

Kimura rode Gold Phoenix to a win in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in 2023 for D’Amato.

D’Amato compares Kimura to former California leading rider Flavien Prat, who currently rides in New York and has been a finalist for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey in recent years.

“I think he’s extremely versatile,” D’Amato said. “From what I see he’s very similar in style and finishing prowess to Flavien Prat. I think he’s a strong finisher. He can ride both surfaces.

“He’s shown with those Bob horses that he can win graded stakes on the dirt. He’s one of those top riders who can do everything.”

The Breeders’ Cup will be run at Del Mar in November, and Kimura said gaining familiarity with the track could lead to mounts in those world-famous races this fall. Agent Brian Beach will represent Kimura at Del Mar.

“It’s a new challenge,” Kimura said. “We’ll see what happens. Going to a new place is tough for business.

“I hope I can have a couple of rides for the Breeders’ Cup. I’m really looking forward to it.”

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