Torres will ride at Churchill Downs after Oaklawn meet

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park leading jockey Cristian Torres will be based at Churchill Downs for the first time following the close of the local season, agent Cody Autrey said Tuesday.

Oaklawn wraps up its meet May 6.

Autrey said Tuesday that Torres, 25, is scheduled to ride at Churchill on May 2-3, which are dark days at Oaklawn. If things go well for the rider on Saturday, he also could be riding at Churchill on May 5-6.

:: Bet the races on DRF Bets! Sign up with code WINNING to get a $250 Deposit Match, $10 Free Bet, and FREE DRF Formulator.

Torres has the mounts on Airtime in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby and She’s Lookin Lucky in the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy. Both races distribute qualifying points for the respective Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Torres has won 72 races from 334 starts this meet through Wednesday – 10 more wins than second-leading rider Francisco Arrieta. Torres also leads the Oaklawn colony in mount earnings, with $4.4 million.

Autrey said the goal was to win 63 races at the meet, a number they believed would make them a top contender for the title based on past winners at Oaklawn.
Torres won the title at Remington Park in Oklahoma City in December.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.