Fresu enters final weekend with 1-win lead in jockey’s race
At 0h02, on June 14, 2024 • By Santa Anita
With three days remaining in the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet, Antonio Fresu is closing in on his first North American riding title.
Fresu, a 32-year-old native of Sardinia, Italy, leads the jockey’s standings with 30. He has one more win than runner-up Juan Hernandez (29), a five-time leading rider at Santa Anita. Also still with an outside shot to finish as leading rider is Kyle Frey. He added to his strong meet on Sunday when riding four winners on a nine-race card, which gives him 20 victories for the stand.
Fresu has been riding in the U.S. for a little over 14 months. He arrived at Santa Anita from Dubai in April 2023. At the most recent Classic Meet, which ended April 7, Fresu finished second in the jockey’s race, seven wins behind Hernandez.
Both Fresu and Hernandez have a busy week ahead. From Friday through Sunday, Fresu has 29 rides lined up. Hernandez is booked on 25 mounts. Sunday’s closing day card, which includes the GIII San Juan Capistrano and Cinema Stakes.
