Castellano, Pletcher Best Among 2013 Leaders

Javier Castellano led North American jockeys in victories and total purse earnings for the first time in his career in 2013, while Todd Pletcher ended the year far ahead on the national earnings list for trainers for the eighth time.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey were the runaway winners for purse earnings by owners in 2013, according to statistics compiled by Equibase.

A 36-year-old native of Venezuela, Castellano recorded 362 victories and set an all-time record for purse earnings of $26,213,507 to finish comfortably in front in both categories. Hall of Fame rider Russell Baze was second in the victory column with 308, while Joel Rosario was the runner-up on the earnings list with $21,585,941.

Castellano, who also led North American riders in most mounts with 1,617, won at a 22% strike rate for the year while his starters finished in the top three 54% of the time. Castellano was second on the national purse earnings list in 2012, behind only Ramon Dominguez, whose record he eclipsed this year. He finished third behind Baze and Dominguez in total wins a year ago.

Pletcher, a five-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner, compiled total purse earnings of $25,248,816 while winning with 224 of 946 starters. It was the fourth straight year that Pletcher, a 46-year-old native of Dallas, Texas, led North American trainers in overall purse earnings.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was second to Pletcher on the money list with $15,317,291.

Steve Asmussen led the trainer standings in victories in 2013 with 307. Asmussen saddled 1,525 horses, nearly 500 more than his nearest rival, Jerry Hollendorfer, who started 1,049.

Louisiana-based Karl Broberg was second on the trainer win list with 243, while Hollendorfer had 241. Pletcher finished fifth.

The 48-year-old Asmussen, second to Jamie Ness in victories among the nation's trainers in 2012, set the single-season victory mark with 650 in 2009. He has 6,634 wins in his career. The two-time Eclipse Award winner has led North America in wins on eight occasions.

The Ramseys amassed earnings of $12,231,045 in 2013, more than $5 million ahead of Midwest Thoroughbreds ($7,230,797), according to Equibase. The Nicholasville, Ky. couple, who own Ramsey Farm, won with 230 of their 880 starters during the year, a 26% win clip, with 56% of their runners finishing in the money.

Midwest Thoroughbreds, with 401 wins from a nation-leading 1,479 starters, were tops in victories by owners for the fourth consecutive year. The Ramseys were second.

Reeve's Thoroughbred Racing's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Mucho Macho Man led North America in purse earnings with $2,984,000 in 2013, edging Will Take Charge, who earned $2,960,977. Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan was third with $2,751,972, slightly ahead of Game On Dude ($2,575,735) and Orb   ($2,557,566).