Reigning Eclipse Award jockey Flavien Prat continues his pursuit of a second Eclipse Award adding three graded stakes wins at Aqueduct Racetrack including the Remsen Stakes (G2), the Cigar Mile Stakes (G2) and Comely Stakes (G3). Through Sunday, Prat’s graded stakes total stands at 45. The panel of racing experts voted Prat Jockey of the Week for December 1 through December 7.
The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild. Founded in 1940, the Guild represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
On Saturday, five-time Eclipse Award trainer Chad Brown gave a leg up to Prat aboard Paladin in the Remsen (G2) which offered points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 11, Paladin raced in third along the inside through the first turn and down the backstretch behind Day One Starter and Balboa. Second choice Renegade made his move into contention at the top of the stretch. Prat angled Paladin outside to wear down both Renegade and Balboa posting a two-length win in 1:50.97 for a mile and one-eighth.
“Everything went well,” Prat said to NYRA publicity. “I was a bit worried there would be a lack of pace, but we were able to sit right off the pace. When I tipped him out, he reacted the right way. It’s that time of year when you start dreaming. A lot of tests to answer but today was a good race.”
Riding for two-time Eclipse Award trainer Brad Cox, Prat piloted the 5-year-old Bishops Bay to a neck win in the Cigar Mile (G2). Off as the favorite in the field of six and breaking from the outside, Bishops Bay raced in second behind sophomore Mika who led the field into the stretch. Bishops Bay dug in and reeled in the pacesetter for the win in 1:34.62. Prat is now 6 for 6 aboard Bishops Bay.
“He’s just a very game horse,” Prat said. “He’s very honest. Always shows up. He has a great mind and is willing to win every time.”
Prat’s third graded stakes score came on Sunday courtesy of Fully Subscribed for trainer Chad Brown in the Comely (G3) for 3-year-old fillies. As the overwhelming favorite in the field of seven, Fully Subscribed came from off the pace to win by four lengths in 1:50.55 for a mile and one-eighth.
“She broke very well and I was able to get myself in the race and kind of stick with the filly of Johnny Velazquez (Kappa Kappa),” said Prat. “I felt like I was in control the whole way.”
This week Prat rides at his winter base of Aqueduct Wednesday-Friday then travels to Turfway Park for mounts in five stakes races on Saturday.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Kazushi Kimura who won the Starlet (G2) at Los Alamitos, Irad Ortiz Jr. who won the Demoiselle (G2), Joel Rosario with two stakes wins at Aqueduct and Walter Rodriguez who won eight races at Turfway Park.
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