Javier Castellano Named Jockey of the Week

Mar 4th, 10
Topped by an allowance victory aboard Bernie the Maestro, Javier Castellano led all North American jockeys by earnings for the week ended March 3.

Bernie the Maestro won a $51,000 allowance race at five furlongs on the turf on Sunday, providing a $35,400 of Castellano’s $208,810 in earnings last week.

Through Tuesday, Castellano, 32, has won 39 races, including five stakes, from 185 mounts.

He thrust himself into the Triple Crown picture on February 20, riding Discreetly Mine to a front-running victory in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. Also that day, Castellano won the Fair Grounds Handicap (G3) aboard Blues Street.

Since moving to the U.S. from his native Venezuela in 1997, Castellano has won the 2006 Preakness Stakes (G1) aboard Bernardini and the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on eventual Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.

Castellano has been based in New York since 2001 and concentrates his efforts on the New York Racing Association and Florida circuits. Thoroughbred Times TODAY