Saez completes sweep of Kentucky fall titles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Luis Saez, riding his first full Churchill Downs meet, was the leading jockey with 23 wins, two more than Tyler Gaffalione. Saez rode six winners Saturday, one shy of the Churchill record held jointly by Pat Day (1984) and Julien Leparoux (2009). Gaffalione had four winners Sunday to narrow the gap.

At Keeneland in October, Saez also edged Gaffalione by a 21-20 count. Both jockeys will make Gulfstream Park in Florida their winter base, with Saez resuming action there Sunday when named in eight races.

Mike Maker was the meet’s leading trainer with 12 wins, one more than Steve Asmussen, while there was a seven-way tie for leading owner (three wins each).

◗ Eight turf races were run at the fall meet over a new $10 million course that was highly problematic after coming into use in late April. The good news: Churchill officials are very optimistic the coming off-season will be of great benefit to the Bermuda-hybrid course.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr., Joe Talamo, Rafael Bejarano, Martin Garcia, and Francisco Arrieta are among the Churchill regulars headed soon to Oaklawn Park, where they intend to ride through the winter. Oaklawn starts Dec. 9.

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