Vazquez caps four-win day with Dirty Rich in Advent Stakes
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Ramon Vazquez is now the current leading rider at two tracks after winning four races on the Oaklawn Park season opener Friday, led by the $150,000 Advent Stakes with Dirty Rich.
The big afternoon for Vazquez has him leading the pack out of the gate at Oaklawn. He also is the runaway leader at the Remington Park meet that closes next Saturday, Dec. 20. Vazquez is now based at Oaklawn but will return to Remington to ride the Springboard Mile Day card next Saturday, agent Cody Autrey said Friday.
Dirty Rich ($14.80) broke sharply and never looked back in the Advent for 2-year-olds. He set fractions of 21.89 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.70 for the half-mile before finishing up 5 1/2 furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:04.11.
“When I asked him the last quarter, he responded very well,” Vazquez said in a post-race interview conducted by Oaklawn.
Dirty Rich won by 1 3/4 lengths over Boca Beach Club, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Spun D M C.
Vazquez was winning the Advent for the third straight year and for the second meet in a row for trainer Peter Miller. Last year, the men teamed to capture the race with Kale’s Angel.
Vazquez said he was pleased with the fast start Friday.
“I’m blessed and thank you to all the owners and trainers for the opportunity,” Vazquez said. “And my agent, Cody, he’s doing a good job.”
Dirty Rich is a son of Thousand Words who races for Michael McMillan. He has now won 2 of 5 starts and earned $120,712.
Vazquez began his memorable card by winning the second race with Not for Everyone ($8.20), who drew in off the also-eligible list. Vazquez then captured the fourth race with Jackman ($7.60), and the sixth race with Money Run ($17.40). Money Run also is trained by Miller.
Oaklawn could not have ordered better weather, as sunny skies and temperatures pushing 60 degrees helped lure a large, enthusiastic opening-day crowd for what is a beloved tradition in Arkansas.
Racing resumes Saturday, and the crowd again figures to be large with another strong 10-race card and a promotion of two corned beef sandwiches and a soda for $1.
The pick six, which was brought back after a hiatus, will have a carryover of $6,951. For its Friday return, 4 of 6 paid $68.10. The feature Saturday is the $150,000 Ring the Bell Stakes, which drew the prolific Oaklawn sprinter Skelly.
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