At the close of 2022, Turfway Park's Holiday Meet ended in style with jockey Gerardo Corrales, trainer Paulo Lobo, and owner Larry Best's OXO Equine winning their respective titles.
The trio will hope to continue their momentum at the Winter/Spring Meet, which runs through April 1.
Corrales, represented by veteran agent Cliff Collier, tabbed 30 wins from 104 mounts—a stout 29% win clip. His mounts tallied $1,115,484 in purse earnings. Corrales' meet was highlighted by a victory in the $125,000 Prairie Bayou Stakes aboard the Lobo-trained In Love. The 26-year-old rider also won the $125,000 Holiday Inaugural Stakes aboard Ready to Venture.
Corrales finished eight wins in front of Joe Ramos. Luan Machado was third with 13 victories followed by Declan Cannon (11) and Manny Esquivel (nine).
In the trainer standings, Lobo, who trains many horses for OXO Equine, recorded 11 wins from 29 starters. His runners earned a solid $531,772 in purses. Among his top performers were the aforementioned In Love, along with allowance winners Bromley, Greyes Creek, Koolhous, Purple Dream, Quaria Comet and Querobin Dourada. Lobo recently won a $70,000 maiden special weight contest with OXO Equine's Itzos, a sibling to the great Rachel Alexandra.
Lobo finished five wins clear of Doug Cowans and Mike Maker while Brad Cox, Bill Morey and Wesley Ward were tied in fourth with five victories.
OXO Equine tallied four wins at the Holiday Meet, which tied with Stanley Bergman's Brownwood Farm. OXO Equine's runners earned $205,079, nearly $29,000 more than Brownwood Farm.
"As we end 2022 OXO had a year that saw us hit our record win mark and money won," racing manager Don Chatlos said on Twitter. "Our trainers and jockeys know they are appreciated but it's the grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders and assistants that do all the heavy lifting. So, it's a toast to them. We can't thank you enough."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
