Leparoux has huge weekend to take lead in Churchill rider standings
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – What is this, 2009 or something? Just like that, Julien Leparoux has zoomed to the top of the Churchill Downs jockey standings, buoyed by a hot streak reminiscent of an era when he dominated here.
Leparoux reeled off eight wins from just 11 mounts in a two-day period last weekend at Churchill, booting home three winners Sunday and five Monday. It was a performance to recall some of his best days here, most notably a seven-win day in November 2008 that tied the track record set by Pat Day in 1984.
“Good horses,” said Leparoux, 35. “It’s so much fun to win. Actually, it’s so much fun to come to the track and know you have good chances. It felt like I was 24 years old again.”
:: Shop for PPs, picks, DRF+ and more in our store!
Leparoux is a nine-time leading rider at Churchill, having accumulated those meet titles from 2006-11. Into Thursday, he had 20 wins at this spring meet, just ahead of Miguel Mena (18) and Corey Lanerie (17).
“We’re not doing anything different,” said his longtime agent, Steve Bass. “It’s just one of those things. Sometimes it’s just the vibes you give off. The horses just ran.”
Leparoux said he wants to win his first Churchill riding title in nearly eight years but will miss at least two remaining cards at the meet, which runs through June 29. Saturday, he will travel to Penn National, and the following Saturday (June 8) he will ride Master Fencer in the Belmont Stakes. Leparoux had been scheduled to breeze Master Fencer on Wednesday at Belmont Park, but his Tuesday flight was canceled owing to weather conditions in New York.
