By any standard, jockey Luis Saez had a terrific week with multiple-wins each day between Keeneland’s closing week and opening day at Churchill Downs. Saez won 11 races overall including the Bank of America Valley View (G2) and the Dean Dorton Myrtlewood.

The panel of racing experts voted Saez Jockey of the Week October 19-October 25.

Saez started his winning spree on Wednesday as Keeneland began its closing week. Saez posted two wins for trainer Joe Sharp, Race 3 aboard Jackie and Ginger and Race 6 as the pilot aboard Me Governor.

On Thursday, Saez won Race 2 under Borax for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and Race 3 with My King Air for Joe Sharp.

Saez won three races on Friday starting with Race 6 for Steve Asmussen aboard TV Time Out. Trainer Kinnon LaRose then gave Saez a leg up aboard Stress Relief in the Dean Dorton Myrtlewood Stakes for 2-year-old-fillies.

Off as the third choice at 3-1 in the field of six, Stress Relief raced in fifth while longshot Glory Run with Alex Achard up led the field. As the field turned for home, Stress Relief began to gain ground, overtaking Glory Run at the wire to win by a nose in 1:11.33 for six furlongs.

Saez posted his second stakes win of the day for trainer Brian Lynch aboard Sister Troienne in the Bank of America Valley View (G2) for 3-year-old fillies. Off as the even-money favorite in the field of 10, Saez put Sister Troienne on the lead just after the start and made every pole a winning one edging away for a two-length win in 1:37.18 for six furlongs.

“This is a pretty nice filly,” Saez said. “She broke pretty well. I don’t want to take anything away from her. She was controlling the pace and was pretty comfortable. Of course (trainer) Brian (Lynch) does an amazing job with all his horses.”

Saez posted two more wins on Saturday, Keeneland’s closing day, for trainer Peter Eurton aboard Majestical in Race 2 and Race 7 under Joyful Flight.

Saez’s next stop was Churchill Downs on Sunday’s opening day of the Fall Meet and the track’s Stars of Tomorrow I card. Saez won Race 2 with Notgonnacatchher for Brian Lynch and Race 6 with Lord Mischief for two-time Eclipse Award trainer Brad Cox.

This week, Saez will be riding at Churchill Downs Wednesday and Thursday and then at Keeneland Friday and Saturday for mounts in 12 Breeders’ Cup races.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Erik Asmussen who also won 11 races, brother Keith Asmussen who won the Street Sense (G3), Katie Davis who travelled to Santa Anita and won her first career graded stakes in the Autumn Miss (G3) and Tyler Gaffalione who won the Bryan Station (G2) and captured his 9th leading rider title at Keeneland.

Statistics provided by: Equibase/Photo: Keeneland Photo

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