Jockeys' Guild Names Prat as Jockey of the Week

Flavien Prat's memorable week began at Del Mar with two Breeders' Cup wins, which would be notable in its self, but the reigning Eclipse Award winner then flew back across country to ride Sunday's closing day card at Belmont at the Big A where he set a NYRA track record for wins with seven adding his name to the New York record books. The panel of racing experts voted Prat Jockey of the Week for Oct. 27-Nov. 2. The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild. Founded in 1940, the Guild represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States. Riding for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday, Prat was aboard Splendora for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI), the first Breeders' Cup race of the day. Breaking from post position two at odds of 5-2, the 4-year-old filly saved ground before angling outside near the quarter pole. Splendora hit the front with a furlong to run posting a 4-3/4 length win in 1:21.79 for seven furlongs. "I really felt like I was traveling well all the way around and as soon as I was able to go around everybody, she just gave me a good run," said Prat. Riding again for Baffert, Prat was aboard Nysos in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Off as the 3-5 favorite in the field of eight, Nysos raced in fifth position along the rail while his stablemate, Citizen Bull lead the field. On the far turn, Nysos began to close the gap and the race was on as those two raced in tandem down the stretch with Nysos just getting up at the wire to post a head victory in 1:34.71. "I was pleased with my trip and was travelling well," said Prat. The pace was strong but I was able to make up a lot ground." Prat was back at his NYRA base on Sunday for the 11-race card at Belmont at the Big A with 10 mounts. Prat posted consecutive victories in Races 2-7 becoming just the seventh rider at NYRA to win six consecutive races. Prat won Race 2 and Race 3 for Eclipse Award trainer Chad Brown and Race 4, the Forty Niner Stakes (G3) aboard Bishops Bay for trainer Brad Cox. Prat won Race 5 for trainer George Weaver and Race 6 for Chad Brown. In Race 7, the Red Smith Stakes (G2) Prat posted his sixth consecutive win with Cugino for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. After a second place finish in Race 8, Prat remained red-hot in Race 10 with his fourth win for Chad Brown. "When I came here today, I thought I had some good mounts," Prat said. The horses have been running well and showing up...it's great." Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Junior Alvarado with two graded stakes including the BC Distaff with Scylla, Hector I. Berrios with three stakes wins including the BC Juvenile Fillies with Super Corredora, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with three Breeders' Cup wins and the Bill Shoemaker Award for the winningest jockey at the Breeders' Cup and John Velazquez who won the BC Juvenile with Ted Noffey. Statistics provided by: Equibase/Photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese