Geroux streaks to top of Churchill Downs standings

Churchill Downs press release (Coady Photography photo of Florent Geroux winning Saturday’s Mrs. Revere Stakes on Princess Grace.)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020) – Jockey Florent Geroux’s success after last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships continued at Churchill Downs as he vaulted to the top of the rider standings after he won with seven of his last 11 mounts beneath the Twin Spires.

“We’ve been on a great run,” said Geroux, who won aboard Aunt Pearl and Monomoy Girl at the Breeders’ Cup. “It was an incredible weekend aboard some fantastic horses. Now, back at Churchill, we’re continuing to do well.”

Florent Geroux has been on a roll at Churchill Downs since winning two Breeders’ Cup races at Keeneland, including on Monomoy Girl in the $2 million Longines Distaff. Coady Photography

In total, Geroux recorded 16 wins through Friday’s halfway mark of the 24-day Fall Meet. Geroux, typically the first-call rider for trainer Brad Cox, has recorded victories for 10 different trainers at the meet. Besides Cox, Geroux has also recorded wins for Tom Amoss, Rusty Arnold, Juan Cano, Wayne Catalano, Phil D’Amato, Eddie Kenneally, Mike Maker, Tom Van Berg and Brian Williamson.

“We had a great Breeders’ Cup weekend next to Brad’s four wins,” said Geroux, who is represented by veteran agent Doug Bredar. “I’ve stuck with Brad for a long time and it’s been a snowball effect over the last few years – not only at the Breeders’ Cup but just for our business in general.

“It’s been a challenging year when we stopped racing over the winter with the pandemic. We’ve been very grateful to be able to run and do our job through this.”

Geroux was named to ride six horses on Sunday’s program and 10 on Wednesday and Thursday. He remained one win ahead of Tyler Gaffalione and Ricardo Santana Jr. in the jockey standings.

(Update: Geroux won one race Saturday, his 17 wins now matched by Santana and one more than Gaffalione.)

CHILUKKI STAKES PROBABLES – Next Saturday’s program is highlighted by the $100,000 Chilukki(Grade II) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the dirt.

Here are the early probable entrants, according to Churchill Downs assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork: Gold Standard (trainer Brad Cox), Grand Cru Classe (Bill Mott), Istan Council(Larry Jones), Sanenus (Michael McCarthy); and Whoa Nellie (Jones).

Entries for Saturday’s program will be taken on Wednesday.