Kendrick Carmouche registered his first-ever riding title for a New York Racing Association meet, notching 23 victories to pace all jockeys for the 18-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack that ran from Nov. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 6. Christophe Clement tallied 16 wins to lead all trainers, while Klaravich Stables and Repole Stables each campaigned five winners to finish as co-leading owners.
Carmouche, a mainstay on the NYRA circuit, earned his first NYRA riding crown by registering a 23-18-14 record in 123 mounts with earnings of more than $1.5 million. The soon-to-be 37-year-old compiled a slew of riding titles earlier in his career, racking up seven at Parx from 2008-11 in a run that earned him induction into that track's Hall of Fame in 2015.
Closing weekend was a memorable one for Carmouche, who registered his first career Grade I win when he piloted True Timber (Mineshaft) to a 5 1/2-length victory in the GI Cigar Mile Saturday. Carmouche edged Jose Lezcano [19 wins] and Joel Rosario [16] for the top spot.
“I give thanks to everyone who put a good effort in to supporting me and pushed me along to win this meet. I'm very appreciative,” Carmouche said. “I seized the opportunity at hand and I'm grateful for all the trainers and owners for letting me show other people that I can win races. I'm very blessed to say that I've come to New York five years ago and I got a title for the fall meet. I'm very pleased with myself. I'm sure my mom and dad and all my fans are just so happy for me. I'm on cloud nine right now and I might not come down until next Thursday.”
Clement, who finished with the second-most wins at the Belmont fall meet, earned his first NYRA meet title, registering a 16-6-1 record with 52 starters. He edged Todd Pletcher by one win for the top spot.
“It's my first one in New York and it feels great,” the 55-year-old conditioner said. “Nothing would be possible without the horses, the owners and the staff. I'm thrilled because New York means a lot to me. It was a good meet; we've won at different levels. The maidens have been running great and we won stakes races; the whole stable is doing well. I consider myself a New Yorker now, so it really means something.”
Aqueduct Fall was the fourth consecutive meet in New York where Klaravich Stables at least shared top owner status, joining the Belmont fall, Saratoga summer and Belmont spring/summer.
Thoroughbred action continues at Aqueduct for the 56-day winter meet that begins Thursday, Dec. 10 and runs through Sunday, Mar. 28.
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