Lakow new agent for Javier Castellano
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mike Lakow was back on the grounds at the New York Racing Association on Wednesday, only this time when he visited trainers, it was not to allot them stalls but rather to ask for mounts.
Lakow, who served as racing secretary at NYRA from 1993-2005, has been retained by three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Javier Castellano to be his agent starting with the Belmont fall meet, which begins Sept. 9.
Castellano recently announced his split from agent Matt Muzikar after a seven-year relationship.
Lakow has worked in many positions in the industry, but this will be the first time he’s served as a jockey agent.
“I’m incredibly fortunate,” Lakow said Wednesday on the Saratoga backstretch. “Javier’s a world-class rider; he’s a terrific person. I know the family, they’re great. Me and my wife [Tracy] are comfortable being part of the team.”
Lakow has worked on the backstretch, in the stewards’ stands in Florida and Dubai, as a racing official, and even as general manager for Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky. In 2014, he was hired as racing director at Santa Anita, his most recent job.
When he gets to Belmont, he will be on the opposite side of the counter than he used to be when he was racing secretary.
“It’s a tough side to be on,” Lakow said. “I get along with all the guys. I hope they remember that.”