Jockey Luan Machado's week was an example of the highs and lows of race riding. The roller coaster week, however, ended on a high note with two graded stakes wins at Keeneland. The panel of racing experts voted Machado Jockey of the Week for October 14 through October 20.
The weekly honor acknowledges jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
On Wednesday, in Keeneland's eighth race, Machado was aboard Ultimate Strike with a 5-1/2-length lead with a furlong to go when he misjudged the finish line thinking the nine-furlong finish was at the sixteenth pole and ultimately finishing second. The mistake has resulted in a fine and 3-day suspension.
Saturday proved to be a day of redemption for Machado. Riding for trainer Mathew Sims in the Gr. III Perryville, Machado was aboard Brunacini who, through a twist of fate, drew into the race after a series of scratches. Off at odds of 28-1, Brunacini broke from post position nine and tracked the leaders until taking command at the top of the stretch posting a neck victory in 1:22.80, a new stakes record for the race for three-year-olds.
"He broke super sharp," said Machado to Keeneland Publicity. "I tried to get him over on the backside but couldn't make it. He was taking me around there. I thought I'd just stay (outside) and try to give him at least a clear shot to make his run, and he did. The win means a lot to me and to the whole connections."
The week came to satisfying conclusion for Machado on Sunday, as the pilot on Chop Chop for two-time Eclipse Award trainer Brad Cox in the Gr. III Dowager Stakes. Chop Chop stalked outside of the leader in second before making her move around the far turn. She took the lead at the quarter pole and just held off fast closing Forever After All for a nose victory in 2:29.00 for a mile and one-half on the turf for fillies and mares.
"She was pretty comfortable all the way around," Machado said to Keeneland publicity. "She knows when to go faster, and she actually did it on her own. I've got to congratulate the team, (trainer) Brad (Cox) and everybody else—and thank them for the opportunity."
Machado is the regular rider of marathon specialist Next who is undefeated this year after four starts. The six-year-old gelding's next start may be the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 2 at Del Mar.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week were Richard Eramia with two stakes wins at Remington Park, Tyler Gaffalione with a Gr. II stakes win at Keeneland, Francisco Martinez with nine wins for the week and Flavien Prat with three stakes wins and also nine wins for the week at Keeneland and Belmont at the Big A.
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