Albarado earns first Churchill Downs riding title

Albarado, 34, ended the meet with 73 victories.  The highlight was clearly his victory aboard reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on June 14, but Albarado said earning his first "leading rider" crown since his arrival at Churchill Downs in 1996 was special.

 

"It means alot," Albarado said.  "I know I am at a point in my career where 'leading rider' titles probably won't make a difference in my business that I've established, but it was one of my own personal goals, and I'm glad I got it accomplished here at Churchill."

 

Albarado won his meet-leading 73 races from 287 mounts, a significantly smaller total than those of runner-up Miguel Mena, who won 65 races from 364 mounts.  He is generally considered to be more selective in regard to the quality of the mounts he selects, but Albarado said his first championship meet belies that assumption.

 

"I've been injured quite a few times, so I've got to be a little more selective," he said.  "A lot of trainers think I don't give 100 percent on all of the horses, but I do.  I've won $5,000 claiming races here this meet - I've won them all in all different areas of it.  So it kind of instills a little confidence in the trainers also that I can ride seven or eight a day and make it happen."

 

Albarado now has 753 career victories at Churchill Downs.  Julien Leparoux, the riding leader in the 2007 Spring Meet, finished third with 56 victories and was followed by Calvin Borel (52), Jamie Theriot (48) and Shaun Bridgmohan (44).  Six of Albarado's victories came in stakes competition, including a victory aboard Einstein in the $500,000-added Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) on Kentucky Derby Day.  Churchill Downs Communications Department