Jaime Torres, Asmussen take narrow meet leads into Ellis’ final 3 days
Ellis Park press release by Kevin Kerstein/Coady Media photo of Jaime Torres winning at Ellis Park Monday on Save the Trees
HENDERSON, Ky. (Friday, Aug. 23, 2024) – The race for the 2024 champion jockey and trainer titles at Ellis Park will come down to the final three days of the season, running from Saturday-Monday. Jockey Jaime Torres holds a narrow lead with 21 wins, while trainer Steve Asmussen, North America’s all-time winningest trainer, is ahead by just one win in the standings.
Torres, who has been splitting his time between Ellis Park and Saratoga this summer, has made a strong case for the jockey title with 21 wins from 116 starts, amassing more than $1.1 million in purse earnings through 22 of 25 days of racing. The Preakness Stakes (GI) winning rider is set to compete in 22 of the 27 races scheduled for this weekend. His closest competitor, Luan Machado, who is just three wins behind, has calls in 18 races. Machado has also had notable successes during the meet, including victories in the $250,000 Ky Downs Preview Nashville Derby aboardCameo Performance and the $175,000 Groupie Doll (Listed) with Pigalle.
Cristian Torres is in third place with 14 wins, followed by Edgar Moraleswith 12, and Axel Concepcion, Gerardo Corrales, Florent Geroux and Brian Hernandez Jr., each with 10.
In the trainer standings, Asmussen has been relentless, saddling 121 starters so far this meet. He leads with 12 wins and has 23 horses entered over the weekend.Brendan Walsh, hot on his heels with 11 wins, has eight horses set to run. Walsh’s barn has enjoyed a productive meet, highlighted by wins with Waves of Mischief in the $400,000 Pucker Up Stakes (GIII) and Cameo Performance in the Ky Downs Preview Nashville Derby.
Last meet’s champion trainer Brad Cox sits in third in the standings with nine wins, while Mike Maker and Brian Lynch are tied for fourth with eight wins apiece.
Godolphin, who won the Ellis Park leading owner title last year, continues their dominance this season. The global racing powerhouse has already secured the leading owner title, winning 10 races from just 18 starts, an impressive 56% win percentage. They hold a four-win advantage over Steve Asmussen who’s followed by Qatar Racing, Gary and Mary West, OXO Equine, William S. Sparks, and Marsico Brothers Racing, all tied with three wins each.
Ellis Park’s final three days of racing will kick off at 11:50 a.m. CT. Fans can watch and wager in www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
