Castellano, Jacobson Top 2013 NYRA Lists
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Javier Castellano earned his first year-end riding title and David Jacobson was leading trainer on the New York Racing Association circuit in 2013.
Castellano, 36, won 239 races in 2013 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course, including grade I scores aboard Princess of Sylmar in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama, and Beldame Invitational. In addition, he won three graded stakes Nov. 30 at Aqueduct: the grade II Remsen with Honor Code, the grade II Demoiselle with Stopchargingmaria, and the grade III Comely with Wedding Toast. Along the way, he garnered the Belmont spring/summer, Saratoga, Belmont fall, and Aqueduct fall meet titles.
In 2013, Castellano's mounts earned $26.3 million, breaking the previous record of $25.6 million set in 2012 by Ramon Dominguez.
Irad Ortiz, Jr. was second on the NYRA circuit with 222 wins; his brother, Jose Ortiz, finished third with 211 wins.
Jacobson's 164 wins established a record for NYRA victories by a trainer in a single year, previously held by Gary Contessa, who won 159 races in 2007. Jacobson, 59, also captured the Aqueduct spring, Belmont spring/summer, and Aqueduct fall meet titles. In August, Jacobson won his first grade I flat race when he sent out Strapping Groom to an upset victory in the Forego at Saratoga.
In 2012, Jacobson shared the year-end title with Rick Dutrow, Jr. with 110 wins apiece.
Second-place trainer Todd Pletcher won 117 races. Chad Brown was third with 101 wins.
Drawing Away Stable, one of Jacobson's clients, was the leading owner with 89 wins, well ahead of runner-up Michael Dubb (49) and third-place finisher Darley Stable (45).