Jockey Luis Saez returns to the Churchill Downs riding colony June 12 following his historic victory aboard Dornoch in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, his second victory in the past four runnings of the race.
Saez, is scheduled to ride three races on the Wednesday program at Churchill, confidently guided Dornoch to a half-length score over Mindframe in Belmont Stakes. Saez, 32, previously won the race in 2021 aboard Essential Quality .
"Dornoch is a very cool horse to ride," Saez said. "My goal in the race was to break sharply and put him in a good position. In the Derby his race was essentially over after the break. We broke great in the Belmont and got in a good position early on. He's a very game horse. When he gets pressure, he responds.
"I told (trainer) Danny (Gargan) after the Derby that he could've had the winner. We drew the inside post and it was bad luck from there. I'm so happy for everyone involved that we were able to bounce back and reward them in the Belmont."
Dornoch also rewarded Gargan with his first victory in the Belmont. The Louisville, Ky., native capped his big weekend Sunday at Churchill when his trainee Society Man rallied for a 2 1/2-length victory in the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3).
"What a weekend, it was so crazy and so much fun. I don't know how to describe how I really feel," Gargan said June 10 on 'At the Races with Steve Byk.' "Society Man has really flown under the radar and is such a cool horse. I'm so happy for all the partners involved. For him to jump up and run that big of race, I'm just really pumped for everyone involved with him."
Saez begins Wednesday's card at Churchill third in the jockey standings with 19 wins. He trails Jose Ortiz (27) and Tyler Gaffalione (25).
