Juarez Jr. Rides 3,000th Winner in Charles Taylor Derby
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Photo: Coady Photography
Alfredo Juarez Jr. celebrates his 3,000th win aboard Vangilder at Albuquerque Downs
Jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. earned his 3,000th Thoroughbred win July 20 as the veteran rider piloted Vangilder to victory in the $70,000 Charles Taylor Derby for 3-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs.
Trained by Steve Asmussen for owner Chuck Hovitz, Vangilder rallied from seventh to win by three-quarters of a length over Walker Stalker. The Florida-bred Paynter colt covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.38 on a fast track.
Juarez, 43, began his riding career at the Hipodromo de las Americas in his native Mexico City in 1992. He earned his 2,000th win aboard Chuchuluco in an allowance optional claiming race at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., Sept. 22, 2013.
Juarez's best season came in 2014 when he rode the winners of 218 races from 958 mounts, and his mounts earned $4,030,793 in purses. He was named the Jockeys' Guild Jockey of the Week Oct. 26 that year after he rode the winners of four races during the New Mexico Cup program at Zia Park.
Notable horses ridden by Juarez include War Emblem, whom he rode to victory in the colt's career debut at Arlington Park near Chicago Oct. 4, 2001. War Emblem went on to win the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs and Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
Juarez also teamed with Asmussen to win the 2017 Sunland Derby (G3) and 2018 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap aboard Hence. In addition, he won the 2000 Hawthorne Derby (G3T) in Illinois with Rumsonontheriver in a dead-heat finish, the 2001 National Jockey Club Handicap (G3) at Sportsman's Park with Chicago Six, and the 2006 Dallas Turf Cup Handicap (G3T) at Lone Star Park with Trial by Jury.
In the Charles Taylor Derby, Vangilder earned $42,000 from his third win in eight starts and first (non-black-type) stakes victory.
"Steve is a savant; he picked this race out for him," said Hovitz. "Alfredo had to rouse him to get him going, but once he did, he galloped out strong."
Vangilder was making his first start in New Mexico. He's raced in five states, including Kentucky and California. The bay colt bred by Best A Luck Farm has banked $97,262.