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Davis earns first riding title - Rodriguez takes second consecutive title at Aqueduct winter meet

by Mary Eddy

Jockey Dylan Davis captured the first riding title of his career, posting 63 wins at the 2021-22 Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet that ran from December 9 to March 27. Rudy Rodriguez paced all trainers with 33 wins, while Klaravich Stables secured the owner’s title with 10 wins.

Davis, who is represented by agent Mike Migliore, finished nine wins ahead of runner-up Trevor McCarthy and 10 wins clear of third-place Kendrick Carmouche.

“It’s incredible. I’m grateful and honored. I’ve worked very hard for this,” said Davis. “I’m grateful I can have this success and get one of the titles. My agent Mike works very hard behind the scenes to get me the mounts. Thanks to the owners and the trainers and everyone on the backside, especially the horses. The horses are the main thing – they are running for me and putting up performances.”

The 27-year-old native of Manhasset, N.Y., achieved three four-win days on January 23, February 26 and March 26, and completed the meet with a record of 301-63-58-36 for total purse earnings of $3,411,574.

Davis began his riding career in 2012 and earned his first win in September of that year. A six-time stakes winner this meet, Davis earned black type victories in the Garland of Roses with Glass Ceiling; the La Verdad and Heavenly Prize Invitational with Bank Sting; the Stymie with Green Light Go; and the Rego Park and Gander with Barese, who Davis will ride in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino on April 9.

“I’m really excited for Barese to run in the Wood,” said Davis. “He’s been on the improve and is going in the right direction. I’ve been able to get a couple good ones like Glass Ceiling for Charlie Baker, who won the [Grade 3] Barbara Fritchie at Laurel. Green Light Go is exciting, too. I ride every race the same. The owners and trainers know I give 110 percent and try to get the best placing possible.”

Rodriguez won his second consecutive Big A winter meet title and 13th overall training title at NYRA, sending out 33 winners, eight wins more than second-place trainer Rob Atras and 13 ahead of third-place finisher Chad Brown.

Rodriguez earned top trainer honors at last year’s Big A winter meet with 36 winners and has taken home a total of 11 titles at Aqueduct.

“It’s unbelievable,” said an emotional Rodriguez. “All the credit goes to the people in the barn. Most of the people that work with me here have been with us since Day One.”

Meet highlights for Rodriguez include stakes triumphs with Magic Circle in the Busanda to put the sophomore filly on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, and Wudda U Think Now in the Hollie Hughes.

Rodriguez said each of his wins this meet were memorable.

“They’re all very special,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a lot of hard work dealing with the winter cold.”

Rodriguez started 151 horses for a record of 33-22-20 and $1,506,693 in earnings. His runners posted a win rate of 21.85 percent and a 49.67 in-the-money percentage.

Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables saw graded success at the Big A winter meet when Early Voting made easy work of the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers to begin his journey down the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Klaravich Stables posted a 21-10-2-3 record with total purse earnings of $623,160. It was a three-way tie for second between Windylea Farm [38-8-8-2, $331,058], Repole Stable [31-8-4-2, $292,161] and Michael Dubb [33-8-4-2, $458,427].

Live racing continues Thursday at the Big A, Opening Day of the 15-day spring meet that runs through April 24. First post for Thursday’s eight-race card is 1:20 p.m. Eastern. The Aqueduct meet includes 13 stakes worth a total of $2.7 million, highlighted by the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino on the same April 9 card as the Grade 1 Carter Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets and four other stakes.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the spring meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.