Hall of Famer Johnny Velazquez made the most of his trip for Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland that included 11 stakes races carded over three days. Five of the stakes races were Grade I. The ageless Velazquez won two as well as a Grade 3 stakes race. 

The panel of racing experts unanimously voted Velazquez Jockey of the Week September 28-October 4. 

Velazquez travelled to Keeneland after beginning the race week at Belmont Park. 

On Saturday, dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse gave Velazquez a leg up aboard Classic Q in the First Lady (G1). Velazquez who has been aboard Classic Q five times knows how to ride the talented 4-year-old filly. 

Breaking from post position eight in the field of 10, Classic Q raced off the pace in third through the early running. In mid-stretch as 2-1 favorite Lush Lips took command, Classic Q made her move with a sustained run to get up by a nose for the win in 1:35.89 in a thrilling renewal of the one mile turf race. 

“The whole thing with her is I try to relax the first part of the race,” Velazquez said to Keeneland publicity. “You take too much and she throws her head up. Today, I was on the outside, and little by little she settled. I took my time, and when I said to go, she responded.” 

Riding for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Velazquez was aboard American History in the next race, the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Off at odds of 5-1, American History broke slow and raced in fourth down the backstretch. Turning for home, American History edged closer to race favorite Coach Pope and QB Rocket posting a come-from-behind victory by a length in 1:44.88 for the mile and one-sixteenth test. It was the third win of the day for Velazquez. 

“I was not expecting my horse to break as slow as he did,” Velazquez said. ‘I was hoping the two horses in front were going fast enough my horse could catch up. My horse has one stride—kind of keeps coming, coming and coming—and that’s the way he did it.” 

On Sunday, Velazquez had the call on 2-year-old Irish-bred Adonius for British-based trainer Rebecca Menzies in the Indian Summer Stakes (GIII). Off as third choice at odds of 7-2, Adonius raced near the back of the nine-horse field after a slow start but began to gain ground on the leaders through the stretch. With a late rush, Adonius won a heart-stopping four-horse photo in 1:03.46 for 5-1/2 furlongs on the turf. 

It was the second 3-win day in a row for Velazquez.  This week, Velazquez will be riding at Keeneland Wednesday through Sunday. 

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Manny Franco who won three stakes races including the Champagne (G1), Tyler Gaffalione who won two stakes including the Darley Alcibiades G1), Jose Ortiz with three graded stakes including the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), Irad Ortiz, Jr. with two graded stakes wins including the Coolmore Turf Classic (G1) and Flavien Prat with three graded stakes wins including the Juddmonte Spinster (G1). 

Statistics provided by: Equibase

Photo: Keeneland

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