When apprentice jockey Tyler Bacon rode his first career race Oct. 27, 2023, at Columbus in Nebraska, the purse was $6,500.
On Jan. 25 at Oaklawn Park, Bacon will ride in his first career graded stakes race, the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.
"Unbelievable," Bacon, 17, said. "That's serious money."
Bacon will ride American Promise in the Southwest for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, 89. Bacon is Oaklawn's leading apprentice rider this season with 11 victories.
Four of Bacon's victories at the meeting have been for Lukas, including a front-running maiden special weight score aboard American Promise at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 29.
"I really didn't think he was going to keep me on the horse," Bacon said. "It's an honor to ride for him, and I'm glad he kept me on the horse."
Horses piloted by apprentice jockeys do not get their customary weight breaks when competing in stakes races.
American Promise, son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify , makes his stakes and 3-year-old debut in the Southwest. Five of his six starts have been at one mile or 1 1/16 miles.
"I think he has a really good chance," Bacon said. "There's some tough horses in there, but he's a really nice horse himself."
American Promise, 6-1 on the morning line, is among nine horses expected to race in the Southwest. Lukas also runs 30-1 outsider Bon Temps under Nik Juarez.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
