Jockey Profile: Luis Contreras
Woodbine Jockey Luis Contreras<br />WEG/michael burns photo
Last Friday, in the first graded race of the 2017 Saratoga Meet, Luis Contreras rode Dream It Is to a win. Contreras has spent most of his career riding up in Woodbine. It was interesting to see Contreras take the call aboard Dream It Is.
Because his tack is in Canada, Luis Contreras isn't nearly as well known as the jockeys in the United States. Hopefully, this blog will help alleviate that. Contreras is easily one of the best jocks in North America. The list below proves it.
How did Dream It Is destroy her competition? I think a lot of it had to do with Contreras's ride. He gave her a perfect ride. What's more impressive is that he's not known as a Saratoga rider. Contreras beat guys like Julian Leparoux, Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, and Johnny V. All 4 of those riders are known for having success at Saratoga.
Breaking Lucky faced Shaman Ghost, Frosted, Bradester, and Mubtaahij in the Woodward. He finished fourth at 48 to 1 odds.
Contreras brought a 46 to 1 shot ahead of Shaman Ghost, Hoppertunity, Effienx, and Noble Bird. Think about that. Even after he finished fourth in the Woodward, Breaking Lucky was no better than a 46 to 1 shot in the Clark Handicap.
Breaking Lucky appeared ready to pounce on Gun Runner in this race. That's the sign of a great jockey. Sometimes, your horse just isn't good enough. Getting your horse into a position to win is your job. Luis Contreras seems to do that every time he rides.
I can't wait to see what Luis Contreras does in the future. This year, Contreras is 14th on the earnings list. His mounts have earned over $5.15 million. That's not bad for a jockey that almost exclusively rides at Woodbine.
Because his tack is in Canada, Luis Contreras isn't nearly as well known as the jockeys in the United States. Hopefully, this blog will help alleviate that. Contreras is easily one of the best jocks in North America. The list below proves it.
2017 Schuylerville Stakes - Dream It Is
The favorite in last week's Schuylerville was Snowfire. Dream It Is went off at 4.5 to 1. All she did was dominate her opponents by 9 lengths. She beat some talented 2-year-old fillies in this including Stainless trained by Todd Pletcher, and Best Performance trained by Christophe Clement.How did Dream It Is destroy her competition? I think a lot of it had to do with Contreras's ride. He gave her a perfect ride. What's more impressive is that he's not known as a Saratoga rider. Contreras beat guys like Julian Leparoux, Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, and Johnny V. All 4 of those riders are known for having success at Saratoga.
2016 Seagram Cup Stakes - Breaking Lucky
Nobody will confuse Breaking Lucky with California Chrome. But, his first place finish in the Seagram Cup at Woodbine led to a successful successful 4th place run in the Woodward that summer. I actually attribute most of Breaking Lucky's success to Luis Contreras.Breaking Lucky faced Shaman Ghost, Frosted, Bradester, and Mubtaahij in the Woodward. He finished fourth at 48 to 1 odds.
2016 Clark Handicap - Breaking Lucky
Breaking Lucky's second place finish in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap was even more impressive because the winner, Gun Runner, has turned into one of the top handicap horses in the United States.Contreras brought a 46 to 1 shot ahead of Shaman Ghost, Hoppertunity, Effienx, and Noble Bird. Think about that. Even after he finished fourth in the Woodward, Breaking Lucky was no better than a 46 to 1 shot in the Clark Handicap.
Breaking Lucky appeared ready to pounce on Gun Runner in this race. That's the sign of a great jockey. Sometimes, your horse just isn't good enough. Getting your horse into a position to win is your job. Luis Contreras seems to do that every time he rides.
2017 Fantasy Stakes - Ever So Clever
Ever So Clever went off at close to 16 to 1 early this year to win the Fantasy Stakes. Luis Contreras muscled her to the wire first in the Fantasy. She had no shot in the Kentucky Oaks. In a way, Ever So Clever is just like Breaking Lucky. Both horses are usually outgunned in races that they enter. They move up a few lengths because of Luis Contreras.I can't wait to see what Luis Contreras does in the future. This year, Contreras is 14th on the earnings list. His mounts have earned over $5.15 million. That's not bad for a jockey that almost exclusively rides at Woodbine.
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