Vazquez eyes fifth straight Remington riding title
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Remington Park leading rider Ramon Vazquez is arguably having his best year in the saddle. The native of Puerto Rico ranks sixth in wins in North America with 245 through Monday, and he already has surpassed his personal-best numbers for wins and earnings in a year in the United States.
Vazquez won his first race in the United States in 2009. In 2015, he won 232 races and his mounts earned $5.5 million. But those numbers have already been topped with three weeks left in 2017. Through Monday, Vazquez had won 245 races for mount earnings of $6.2 million.
“It’s been perfect,” said Vazquez, 33.
Vazquez also is poised to win his fifth consecutive riding title at Remington. He had an 18-win lead in the standings heading into the races Wednesday night, with 78 victories from 342 mounts. Highlights of his meet include hitting 1,000 wins in the United States on a five-win night in October and winning three stakes on Oklahoma Classics Night.
“My agent and I are working very hard,” Vazquez said of Brian Assmann. “We’re trying to win races and keep my clients happy.”
Steve Asmussen, who leads the trainer standings at Remington, has regularly ridden Vazquez this meet, as has trainer Federico Villafranco. Vazquez also is getting mounts from a host of other trainers, including Bret Calhoun.
“So many trainers are supporting me,” Vazquez said.
In 2014, Vazquez formed a strong bond with Villafranco and owner Danny Caldwell. Caldwell is a perennial leading owner at Remington.
“In 2014, they asked me to go to Prairie Meadows to ride first call, and we made the decision to go there,” Vazquez said. “Those guys have been really, really super to me. I’m proud to ride for Danny and Villafranco.”
Vazquez has won the Prairie Meadows title each of the last three years. The track is part of a circuit for him that also includes Oaklawn, where he will head after Remington closes Dec. 17. During the Oaklawn meet, Vazquez is annually represented by Ruben Munoz.
Vazquez is the son of a jockey, Ramon Vazquez, Sr., who now trains at Finger Lakes. Vazquez also has an uncle, Jorge Vazquez, who was a jockey. Vazquez launched his career in 2002 in Puerto Rico and won more than 1,500 races there, according to Equibase. Upon his arrival in the United States, he began riding for trainer Larry Jones.
“I started with him in Delaware,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez has since seen his mounts earn more than $26 million in the United States, chief among them Subtle Indian, winner of Oaklawn’s Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap in 2016.
