Nakatani Named TT TODAY Jockey of the Week

Aug 9th, 12
A stakes double aboard Steve Asmussen-trained colts at Mountaineer Race Track on August 4 boosted Corey Nakatani to the top of the list of leading jockeys by North American purse earnings for the week ended August 7.

The 41-year-old native of Covina, California, rode three winners from 13 mounts during the period for earnings of $664,090, punctuated by victories aboard Macho Macho in the West Virginia Derby (G2) and Tapizar in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes 30 minutes prior.

Nakatani launched his riding career in 1988 and many of his biggest successes have come in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. With nine Breeders’ Cup wins to his credit, Nakatani ranks ninth in all-time Breeders’ Cup earnings with $11,733,980. Two of his nine victories occurred in 2011 when he piloted My Miss Aurelia in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Regally Ready in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2).

A ten-time jockey title winner on the Southern California circuit, Nakatani guided beloved former claimer Lava Man to a sweep of the West Coast’s three major races for older horses—the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1), and Pacific Classic Stakes (G1)—during a seven-race winning streak in 2006.

Through Tuesday, Nakatani ranked 14th among North American riders, with 2012 purse earnings of $5,331,366. His 13 stakes wins this year include eight graded stakes, highlighted by Jackson Bend’s win in the Carter Handicap (G1).