6 Jockey’s That Are Poised to Break Out In 2020, & 6 Jockey’s That Can’t Have A Better Year This Year Than Last Year
It’s a new year and I was watching a top 10 break out stars for the next decade, and then boom idea hit. What about a list for jockeys for this year, let’s go region by region! This list is supposed to highlight rising stars that I believe could have a huge break out year this year and put themselves on the map. On the other hand, the list is for jockey’s I think had such a good year last year they can’t possibly have that kind of a year again this year. Lastly if you want to tweet me @dennis_trusty after you read this one jockey you think is going to do well this year and one jockey that might cool off, I would love to hear from you! Thank you!
New York Region: I have been a fan of this jockey for a bit. I have a feeling his hard-trying attitude, mixed with a nice personality from what I have seen on social media is going to take him places. Joey Martinez, I feel has done some impressive things with longshots last year on a circuit where it is hard to break into and he is going to do it. He is getting decent mounts now in the winter, and that is the start to becoming a well-liked jockey in NY. I like the way he always has a horse positioned to strike and never quits until the wire and he has made people notice him with his strong finishes and smart rides. Joey Martinez, I think is destined to be a break out star this year. Honorable mentions to Declan Carroll & Keivan Serrano (I’m biased on that one)
Florida Region: There is only one answer that is correct for this question in this region, only one. Cristian Torres is a 5 pound apprentice and had a record of 908 starts 122 wins 140 seconds and 123 thirds and can only go up from here. His riding style fits Gulfstream so well because all the jockeys down there push, push, push that’s that Caribbean style of riding and he does it perfectly. I know everyone already knows about him, because you should there is a reason why you should. Cristian can ride as well as any veteran down there at Gulfstream.
Louisiana Region: Devin Magnon has been getting some amazing mounts, the former QH jockey has found a home in Thoroughbred races, had a break out year last year with 39 wins. I question his riding style for the first 2 years he rode. Now he has been having success recently and has the ability since he has learned to only get better in 2020.
Texas/Midwest Region: Rayan Gazader if he stays down in Texas, I think that is a perfect fit for him. I remember him riding in Kentucky and he had the potential he just never gained traction. Since I have talked to him on many occasions, he has a good personality and a lot of energy just has to focus it. He always has his horses in good position has to get better at when to make the move and driving but I find giving your horse a chance is half the battle.
Kentucky Region: I know it will seem I am biased on this one but I really like how Crystal Conning rides she makes smart decisions. She is a 7-pound apprentice she does extremely well at positioning horses and riding for good trainers such as Brian Lynch and Rusty Arnold and if they have faith in her I think a lot of other trainers should as well and you as a bettor should too. If she got more mounts, I think she could be a rising star in this region for years to come. Her riding style reminds me of Sophie Doyle. This is my biased part I hope all my friends Aaron Court, Alex Canchari, Declan Cannon, Rogelio Miranda, and Virginia Tormey all have their best year yet. All of those deserve it and are great riders and fantastic people.
California Region: I feel like this area is the hardest to predict, because I don’t know the area as well as some do. I have a gut feeling that Tiago Pereira is going to do well in 2020. Someone needs to take on Flavien Prat who rules that division. Mario Gutierrez, Drayden Van Dyke, many have tried and failed to do so I think even though Tiago Pereira has been there for a minute I think he is the one who can give him a run for his money. Also, think Abel Cedillo is the only other one who could but that seems to me obvious and too obvious. I think Tiago is poised to have a huge 2020.
Now 6 jockeys who can’t have as good of a year as they did last year, this isn’t saying they are bad jockeys. Just not topping what they have done in 2019.
New York Region: Jose Lezcano had a phenomenal 2019 had a break out year for being a major contender at Saratoga winning at 13% and having 22 wins following up being 2nd place in the standings at Belmont in the fall with 39 wins. So far, he is leading the standings at Aqueduct but he has had the favorite many of many times and had by far the best horse many more times than that. I have a feeling when the Ortiz boys, and Javier, and Johnny V comes back, he will struggle and not do as well as he did last year. I hope I am wrong because I think he is a great jockey especially on speed horses but can’t have as good of a year as 2019.
Florida Region: Marcos Meneses I thought last year was the 2nd best rider at Gulfstream behind Jaramillo, but that is clearly not the case. I feel like he is on a down year for him he has proven last year he can’t ride multiple races to the caliber like Jaramillo can. It’s not a fair comparison of them two but it is how I thought it was last year and I am sure trainers did as well.
Louisiana Region: I feel like Diego Saenz is almost at the end of his run as one of the top players in Louisiana racing. He used to be the best gate jockey in Louisiana and now it feels like he is just above average. He is still a top jockey I don’t know if 2020 is the end but I think it is the beginning of the end. He is just a little more weathered than what some of the other jockeys are, and that plays a huge part in this.
Texas/Midwest Region: David Cabrera and I don’t know how I feel about that one, he is an amazing jockey but he can’t be this good as he was last year, he broke out at Oaklawn and he just dominated last year, I think Ramon Vazquez and Iram Diego bounce back this year. If C.J. McMahon comes back and takes a few mounts from him from Karl Broberg he won’t have as good of a year as he did last year. He will still have a good year but it can’t be as good as 2019 I expect a small digression.
Kentucky Region: I think Brian Hernadez Jr might have a down year, since having mainly riding for Kenny McPeek Dallas Stewart and other trainers in the KY circuit that if they have a down year, he will have a down year. So far at Fair Grounds he has started off really hot which makes me really concerned for him later on in the year as to what he will do in the KY area.
California Region: This is going to be a shocker, Flavian Prat and what I mean by that is he was King of the World last year winning a ton of huge races East Coast and West Coast and anywhere else. And for that reason, I think this year 2020 cannot be as good as 2019. Well unless he wins the Triple Crown and or every single Breeders Cup race then I will eat my words and choke on them haha. Which I hope I do that would be amazing if him or any other jockey did that. I don’t think that will happen though you never know. King of California is a very fine title! Also, another break out who has potential to slump is Abel Cedillo and the reason why is he can either go way up or kind in the middle. Right now, he is in above average status maybe even good status, he can accel and go above and beyond. Or he could sink right back into that middle group average status.
I hope I didn’t make anyone mad doing this I hope any jockey and all jockeys on and off these lists here have a fantastic year and make it better than last year I am just trying to predict the rising stars in the game, and some names that aren’t out there as much as they could be maybe. I hope someone out there reading this if they play an area for the first time look at these names and go ahhh I know him/her from this article he/she is really good and I have never heard of them. Or be thinking oh I have heard of this jockey they might have a down year or a down meet maybe I gamble against them in some races or things like that. Thanks for reading let me know what you think, I am thinking about doing trainers for this based on feedback and thoughts. Lastly if you want to tweet me @dennis_trusty after you read this one jockey you think is going to do well this year and one jockey that might cool off, I would love to hear from you!