Leading Jockey Gallardo Heads to New York

Antonio Gallardo, the country’s leader in races won, has changed his plans and will now move his tack not to California but to New York with a new agent.

According to The Jockey Club Information Systems, through Sept. 30 Gallardo won with 289 of 1,187 mounts this year for a 24% win rate and has earnings of nearly $5.4 million.

Earlier this week Gallardo had told BloodHorse he was set to begin riding at Santa Anita Park Oct. 8, saying his recent successes at Monmouth Park and Belmont Park set the stage to take on top level competition.

MCCOY: Jockey Gallardo to Try Southern California

“We’ve accomplished a lot and now it’s time to take things to the next level," Gallardo said earlier in the week and before his change of plans that included severing ties with his agent, Mike Moran.

Moran said he received a text from Gallardo in Albuquerque, N.M., as he was driving to California that said, “Call me at once. Don’t drive any farther.” He called the jockey and was informed that he’d been fired, and that Gallardo changed his mind and was going to go to New York.

“It was a shock for sure,” the agent said. “I had been in touch with a number of horsemen in California about riding Antonio and was excited about our prospects. While there’s little question this could have been handled differently, I wish Antonio nothing but the best. We’ve been able to accomplish quite a lot during our time together. He’s a great rider and I’m sure he’ll have continued success.”

Moran said he plans on returning to Tampa, Fla., for a break and will go back to work when the Tampa Bay Downs meeting begins Nov. 26.

Gallardo has hired Matt Muzikar, who himself was fired by Javier Castellano at the end of the Saratoga Race Course meet. Castellano won three Eclipse Awards during his seven-year relationship with Muzikar and was leading the country again in money won when he severed ties with his agent.