Jockey Leonel Reyes produced an outstanding Leonel Reyes Six-Win Day at Gulfstream Park on Friday, securing six victories from a nine-race programme and strengthening his position in the Sunshine Meet jockey standings.
The 40-year-old Venezuelan rider started the afternoon with three consecutive victories aboard Pardo in Race 1, Camm’s Girl in Race 2 and Amande in Race 3. He returned to the winner’s circle with With Kindness in Race 6 before completing his six-win haul aboard Uncle Dar in Race 8 and Dream Dancer in Race 9.
The achievement added another milestone to Reyes’ career. He had been a regular presence in Gulfstream Park’s jockey room since 2016 and had also recorded five consecutive victories during the September 13 programme.
Speaking after the meeting, Reyes expressed his gratitude and reflected on his recovery from a fractured ankle suffered the previous year.
I’m so happy and grateful, because last year I had the injury but now I am 100 percent, Reyes said. He added that he had expected a successful afternoon after reviewing the programme but had not anticipated securing six victories.
Reyes’ six-win performance brought him close to Gulfstream Park’s single-card record of seven victories, which was shared by Jerry Bailey, Tyler Gaffalione, Luis Saez, Paco Lopez and Irad Ortiz Jr.
He entered Friday’s programme with an eight-win advantage over Royal Palm Meet champion Diego Herrera in the Sunshine Meet jockey standings. The meeting was scheduled to continue through November 22.
Trainer Jose D’Angelo also enjoyed a successful afternoon, with Pardo, Amande, Uncle Dar and Dream Dancer all representing his stable. His four victories strengthened his challenge for the Sunshine Meet training title alongside Saffie Joseph Jr.
Wild Night Secured Impressive Debut Victory
Friday’s programme also featured a promising debut from Wild Night, who secured a 3¼-length victory in Race 7 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.
The three-year-old Liam’s Map filly broke sharply from the inside post and maintained a front-running position throughout the six-furlong maiden special weight contest for fillies and mares.
She finished ahead of stablemate Just a Girl, who returned to competition after finishing second on debut at Saratoga on September 7.
Jockey Miguel Vasquez recorded two victories on the programme, adding Wild Night’s success to his earlier win aboard Coristine in Race 4.
The afternoon also marked a milestone for owner Mariam Vargas, who secured her first victory as a trainer when Camm’s Girl won Race 2. The 27-year-old Venezuelan described the achievement as a memorable experience and admitted that she had felt nervous before the race.
The Leonel Reyes Six-Win Day featured six victories from nine races at Gulfstream Park, strengthened the Venezuelan jockey’s Sunshine Meet lead and brought him close to the track’s single-card record of seven wins.
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