Van Dyke to Ride at Keeneland, Churchill Downs
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Drayden Van Dyke guides Authentic back to the winner's circle after a victory in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Drayden Van Dyke, one of California's top riders, will ride this spring at Keeneland and Churchill Downs, according to his new agent, retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.
Stevens said Van Dyke would continue competing at Santa Anita Park through March before heading to Keeneland, whose spring meet is April 2-23. Keeneland keeps a busier racing schedule than Santa Anita, which operates three days a week.
"He needs to be riding five days a week. We got full fields out there and opportunity," Stevens said. "It's time to reboot."
Van Dyke, 26, was born in Louisville, Ky., though his riding career has largely taken place in California. He was the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of 2014 and won riding titles at both the summer and fall meets in 2018 at Del Mar.
He became one of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's go-to riders, winning graded stakes aboard Authentic and Improbable for him in 2020, though he was replaced aboard those horses during the middle or late stages of the year.
Van Dyke's business has slipped this winter at Santa Anita. He is tied for 13th in the standings, having ridden six winners from 72 mounts.
Traveling to Kentucky previously for select rides in stakes, Van Dyke won the 2016 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) with Miss Temple City at Keeneland and the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) on Stormy Liberal at Churchill Downs.
Daily Racing Form first reported Van Dyke's move to Kentucky.