Stakes Double Earns Gutierrez Jockey of the Week

Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez has found a home at Gulfstream Park. Riding for trainer Brian Lynch, Gutierrez won the Kitten's Joy and Sweetest Chant stakes Jan. 31, leading the panel of racing experts to vote Gutierrez Jockey of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1.

The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild. Founded in 1940, the Guild represents more than 1,050 active, retired, and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

The Lynch/Gutierrez stakes-winning day began in the fifth race aboard Thousandsticks  in the Kitten's Joy at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the first of five stakes races all for 3-year-olds.

Breaking from post 4 in the field of seven, Thousandsticks raced in second behind pacesetter Redland Rebels  with Junior Alvarado. As the field approached the stretch, Gutierrez set his sights on the leader, edging clear for a neck win in 1:40.23. The win was the third for Thousandsticks on the turf with Gutierrez in the saddle.

"It was a good trip," Gutierrez told Gulfstream publicity. "We broke out of there and wanted to see what the competition was going to be, whether they were going to take the lead or were going to let us take the lead. We were OK with letting them take it."

Going for the stakes double, Gutierrez was aboard Sister Troienne  in the Sweetest Chant. Riding a four-race win streak with Gutierrez in the irons, Sister Troienne went off as the overwhelming favorite in the field of 10. Sister Troienne raced in second down the backstretch before overtaking pacesetter Day to Day  and posting a 2 3/4-length win in 1:40.76 for the 1 1/16-mile turf test.

Gutierrez, 39, won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) in 2012 aboard I'll Have Another  and the Derby in 2016 with Nyquist   for trainer Doug O'Neill and owner Paul Reddam, for whom he rode first call. 

After riding on the Southern California circuit since 2011, Gutierrez moved his tack and family to Kentucky to ride at the regional tracks in early 2025 after losing his home during the devastating California fires. After a suggestion from Lynch to follow his stable to Florida, Gutierrez made the move.

READ: On Racing: Gutierrez Lifting His Career From Last Year's Ashes

The Lynch-Gutierrez duo has now accounted for five stakes wins at the Championship Meet at Gulfstream.

"I was going to stay in Kentucky, but I got a great opportunity from Mr. Brian Lynch to come here for the winter," Gutierrez told Gulfstream publicity. "I'm very, very happy. I'm relatively new to the circuit in Miami, and I'm getting a lot of support from trainers."

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Kazushi Kimura, who won the San Pasqual Stakes (G2); Julien Leparoux, who won the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T); Irad Ortiz Jr., whose 12 wins included the Forward Gal Stakes (G3); and John Velazquez, who won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3).