Leparoux loaded with Breeders' Cup contenders
ARCADIA, Calif. – If there were wagering on which jockey will earn the Bill Shoemaker Award for outstanding rider at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Mike Smith would have to be considered the favorite. The all-time winningest jockey in Breeders’ Cup history (22 wins, $28.9 million in mount earnings), Smith has such top horses as Songbird, Arrogate, and Masochistic among his nine BC rides.
But Julien Leparoux is among the other riders with a legitimate shot at the Shoemaker Award, which originated at Santa Anita in 2003, less than a month after the legendary jockey died at age 72. Leparoux has Tepin, Classic Empire, and Carina Mia among his seven BC mounts.
“I think all my horses have a good shot,” said Leparoux. “Obviously, it’s tough racing, but I’m very excited about our chances.”
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Tepin is back for another run in the BC Mile, a race she dominated last year at Keeneland. Classic Empire scarcely could have been more impressive in winning the Breeders’ Futurity in his most recent race and is one of the favorites in the BC Juvenile, and Carina Mia could be a slight favorite in the Filly and Mare Sprint.
Leparoux also has Bowies Hero (Juvenile Turf), Victory to Victory (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Valadorna (Juvenile Fillies), and Green Mask (Turf Sprint).
In 2009, the same year he won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey, Leparoux earned his only Shoemaker Award by winning three Breeders’ Cup events at Santa Anita. The award is based on a system that awards 10 points for a win, 5 for second, 3 for third, and 1 for fourth.
Leparoux was to arrive here late Wednesday after riding at his home track, Churchill Downs, in Kentucky. His wife, Shea, arrived here more than a week earlier with their 13-month-old son, Mitchell, to spend time with her mother, Denise Mitchell. Mike Mitchell, Denise’s husband and Shea’s father, was a highly successful trainer on the Southern California circuit prior to his death in April 2015.
“It’s a very good thing for the family to have the Breeders’ Cup in California,” said Leparoux.
Garrett Gomez has won the Shoemaker Award a record four times (2005, ‘07, ‘08, ‘10). John Velazquez has won it three times (2004, ‘11, ‘14) and Smith twice (2012, ‘13). Ryan Moore won last year at Keeneland.
◗ Caton Bredar once again will anchor the Players’ Show, which will be televised at racetracks and wagering outlets taking the Breeders’ Cup simulcasts Friday and Saturday. Others providing analysis and interviews on the Santa Anita simulcast feed for the BC events will be Richard Migliore, Joe Kristufek, Gabby Gaudet, Oli Bell, Emma Spencer, Fanny Salmon, and Acacia Courtney. Megan Devine will remain in her usual capacity as Santa Anita’s simulcast host for the non-BC races.