The 2024 Churchill Downs Spring Meet leading jockey race came down to the wire on closing day Sunday with Tyler Gaffalione and Jose Ortiz tying for the most wins.
Gaffalione and Ortiz shared leading rider honors with 45 wins apiece. For Gaffalione, it was his 12th Churchill Downs title as leading jockey. It was the first local championship for Ortiz, who began riding in Kentucky this spring.
Luis Saez, who had 32 wins following Day 42 of the 43-day meeting, was in third place followed by Florent Geroux (22), Cristian Torres (21) and Kentucky Derby 150-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. (20).
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen owner Juddmonte locked up their respective titles prior to the start of Sunday's card.
Asmussen's title is his record-extending 28th beneath the Twin Spires. Prior to his 10 runners on Sunday, his barn tallied 32 wins from 173 starts. Asmussen's barn is represented locally by assistants Scott Blasi and Sarah Campion.
Brad Cox and Mike Maker were tied for second, 12 wins behind Asmussen with 20. They were followed by Tom Amoss, Greg Foley and Joe Sharp who each had 11 victories.
Congrats to the 2024 Spring Meet leading trainer, Steve Asmussen!
This is his record-extending 28th leading trainer title at #ChurchillDowns with 33 wins and counting 🏆 pic.twitter.com/5EguhhiXLS
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) June 30, 2024
Juddmonte's 10 wins from 17 starts led all owners. Among the highlights of Juddmonte's meet were victories by Idiomatic (Curlin) in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and Scylla (Tapit) in Saturday's GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes. This was Juddmonte's third local title after being leading owner at the 2021 and 2023 Spring Meets.
Godolphin and Three Diamonds Farm were tied for second with six wins apiece.
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