Vangilder wins Charles Taylor Derby as jockey Juarez reaches milestone

Jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. hit a milestone of 3,000 Thoroughbred wins in North America on Saturday night when he guided Vangilder to a three-quarter-length victory over Walker Stalker in the $70,000 Charles Taylor Derby at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Juarez guided Vangilder ($4.40) from last to first as the pair settled off the pace set by Iron Britches, who led through fractions of 23.60 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.12 for the half-mile, and 1:11.40 for six furlongs. Vangilder went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.38.

Juarez, 43, was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, who in 2017 teamed with the rider to win the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby with Hence. Juarez’s other graded wins have come with Trial by Jury in the Grade 3 Dallas Turf Cup in 2006 at Lone Star Park, Chicago Six in the Grade 3 National Jockey Club Handicap in 2001 at Sportsman’s Park, and Rumsonontheriver in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby in 2000.

Overall, the rider has had 17,486 Thoroughbred mounts, and those horses have earned more than $53 million, according to records from Daily Racing Form. Juarez has won an additional 63 races with breeds other than Thoroughbreds.

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Juarez began his riding career in 1992 at the Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City, according to a press release from The Downs at Albuquerque. Back in 2001, he rode eventual Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem in his career debut, winning the October race at Arlington Park.

Vangilder is a son of Paynter who races for Charles Hovitz.