Oaklawn Leading Rider Torres Joins Churchill Colony

Jockey Cristian Torres, who dominated the rider standings at Oaklawn Park this winter, has arrived at Churchill Downs and plans to stay the entire meet that continues through early July.

Torres, who rode one race May 11 at Churchill Downs, tallied 100 victories at Oaklawn, 17 more than second-place Francisco Arrieta. The native of Puerto Rico began his career as a jockey in 2019 and became the fastest jockey in Oaklawn history to reach $1 million in purse money earned on the 11th day of the 68-day meet.

This winter in Arkansas, he recorded his first career graded stakes victory in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses aboard millionaire Last Samurai  for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Torres made his Oaklawn debut in 2021 and his career took off last summer when he began riding first call for Robertino Diodoro and Karl Broberg, two of the winningest trainers in North American history. Torres captured his first career riding title in December at Remington Park and has continued to build momentum at Oaklawn. 

During the 2021-22 meet at Oaklawn, Torres won 19 races before taking a couple of months off and resuming riding at Lone Star Park in Texas. He also won 19 races there.

Represented by former trainer Cody Autry, Torres was named on nine horses May 12-14.