Bejarano Named Jockey of the Week

Feb 18th, 10
Rafael Bejarano continued the strong start to his season last week with a pair of graded stakes wins, and he led all North American jockeys by earnings for the week ended February 17.

Bejarano earned $493,000 last week. He leads all North American jockeys this yearby earnings with $1,789,408 through Tuesday. Bejarano also ranks third on the season by wins with 41 through Tuesday.

Bejarano, 29, captured the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) on Saturday when Blind Luck nipped Evening Jewel by nose at the finish line. The following day Bejarano rode Tuscan Evening (Ire) to victory in the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap (G2).

Bejarano has enjoyed success riding on the West Coast, joining Patrick Valenzuela and Chris McCarron as the only jockey to sweep the riding titles at all three Southern California tracks in a single season when he accomplished the feat in 2008.

Born in Arequipa, Peru, Bejarano studied his craft at that nation’s riding school for 18 months and was the leading apprentice at Hippodromo de Monterrico before moving to the U.S. in 2002. He went on to lead all North American jockeys by wins in 2004 with455 victories.  Thoroughbred Times TODAY