In a thrilling finish at Santa Anita on December 31, 2023, jockey Mirco Demuro guided Gas Me Up to a remarkable victory in the Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes. Starting from the back of the pack, Demuro and his mount surged ahead to claim the win at odds of 13-1, potentially impacting the ongoing competition among top jockeys, particularly Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr..
The race, which offered a purse of $200,000, saw Prat aboard Sumter finish in second place. This outcome was significant for Prat, who aimed to narrow the earnings gap with Ortiz, who led with $40,488,707 compared to Prat’s $40,229,713 at the start of the day.
Earlier in the day, Prat achieved a victory riding La Ville Lumiere in the $100,000 Blue Norther Stakes, contributing $60,000 to his total earnings. Despite this win, unofficial results indicated that Ortiz maintained a lead of over $140,000 by the end of the card.
Prat, who was awarded the 2024 Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in North America, leads Ortiz in stakes victories with 75 compared to Ortiz’s 65. However, Ortiz, a five-time champion, has more total wins (351) than Prat (307), showcasing the competitive nature of their rivalry.
Ortiz encountered a setback in the Joe Hernandez Stakes, finishing seventh aboard the favorite, Motorious. He took over the ride from Antonio Fresu, who is currently sidelined with a broken toe sustained during a race on Santa Anita’s season-opening card. According to the Daily Racing Form, Fresu’s recovery time remains uncertain.
Gas Me Up is trained by Peter Eurton, while La Ville Lumiere is under the guidance of Michael McCarthy. As the racing season progresses, the competition among these top riders continues to captivate fans and shape the outcomes of upcoming events.
The implications of these races extend beyond individual victories, as the jockey standings and earnings continue to evolve, making each event a critical milestone in the racing calendar.
