Gaffalione, Asmussen, Earn Churchill Downs Fall Titles
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Photo: Coady Photography
Tyler Gaffalione (second from left) and Steve Asmussen (fourth from left) won the jockey's title and trainer's title, respectively, for the fall meet at Churchill Downs
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione has clinched his sixth-straight Churchill Downs meet riding title. The Florida-native entered the Nov. 28 closing day program with an insurmountable win lead at the fall meet and wrapped up the meet with a total of 34 wins.
This was Gaffalione's seventh overall riding title at Churchill Downs. He won the 2018 fall meet with 21 wins. The 27-year-old's 2021 fall meet was highlighted by a six-win day Nov. 12 and a five-win day Nov. 25.
Brian Hernandez Jr. and Joel Rosario tied for second in the jockey standings with 18 wins each. Rafael Bejarano finished behind them with 17 wins.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen secured his record-extending 25th title with 20 wins. Brad Cox was second with 11 wins while Kenny McPeek and Mike Maker each had 10 wins.
The fall meet leading owner title went to Mike Sisk's M and M Racing, which had four winners during the meet. Godolphin, Lothenbach Stables, BBN Racing, Ten Strike Racing, the partnership of Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, and Lynn and Lola Cash (who changed their ownership name to Built Wright Stables half-way through the meet) each had three wins.
The meet held its centerpiece race Nov. 26, the Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1), which saw Godolphin's Maxfield close out his racing career with a hard-fought half-length victory.