Saez ending the year with a bang

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Leading rider Luis Saez will be conspicuous by his absence here Sunday. Saez was scheduled to ride Wondrwherecragis that afternoon in the $100,000 Gravesend at Aqueduct for trainer Brittany Russell, only to learn Friday morning the horse will have to scratch from the race, according to his agent, Kiaran McLaughlin.

“Brittany just called me and said her horse has an issue and has to come out,” said McLaughlin. “I haven’t decided yet whether to send him up there for the other mounts he’s got on the card, or just give him the day off.”

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

Taking any days off right now would seem a shame as hot as Saez has been since accepting his first mount of the meet on Dec. 8. He has registered 16 victories since that time, including four each on Wednesday and Thursday to vault to the top of the standings for the Championship meet. Those victories came on the heels of his win aboard Americanrevolution in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 4 before departing New York.

“It’s certainly a great way to cap off what has been an incredble year for him,” said McLaughlin. “Everything just seemed to fall into place all season and nobody is more deserving of this kind of success than Luis. He is a great rider, a fabulous person to work with, and a great family man. We’ve really been blessed.”

Saez had won 275 races in 2021 entering Friday’s action, including 29 graded stakes highlighed by his victories aboard Mystic Guide in the Dubai World Cup and Essential Quality in the Belmont and Travers.

“We’ll probably ship out of town some, but for now the plan is to stay right here all winter,” said McLaughlin. “Winning the riding title is not a major goal, although it that were to happen it certainly would be nice.”