Hallandale Beach to Honor Javier Castellano

Javier Castellano, who has won the Gulfstream Park riding title the past three seasons and the Eclipse Award as North America's leading jockey the past two years, will receive the Key to the City of Hallandale Beach the evening of Jan. 28 during a ceremony at City Hall.



The Key to the City is a symbolic award presented by municipalities to honor outstanding residents and visitors who go above and beyond to help others or to promote the good will of the community.



"It's a great honor to receive the Key to the City of Hallandale Beach," Castellano said. "Gulfstream Park and the City of Hallandale Beach have been very good to me and my family. It means a great deal to me."



Hallandale Beach vice mayor Bill Julian, a former horse trainer, said: "Javier has become the face of the Thoroughbred industry as the jockey of the year for the past two years. He is a role model for anyone who has any interest in the industry. Javier has done everything to promote good sportsmanship within horse racing. He has set a good example as someone who has come to the United States and worked hard to excel at his profession."



Castellano was the first rider in Gulfstream Park history to win more than 100 races at Gulfstream with 112 winners in 2011-12. Castellano earned the riding title with 100 winners in 2012-13 and 132 in 2013-14. He won his 3,000th race in February 2012 at Gulfstream and has now totaled 3,977 North American victories in his career.



During Eclipse Award ceremonies at Gulfstream Jan. 17, Castellano won his second straight outstanding jockey award. Last year the native of Venezuela rode horses that earned $25 million in purses while recording 315 wins.