Jockey Joe Ramos, trainer Genaro Garcia and the team of Roger Speiss's Speiss Racing and trainer and co-owner Randy Kloop were atop the standings in their individual categories when the 2023 racing season concluded at Horseshoe Indianapolis Friday, Nov. 17.
In the closest of the contests, Ramos scored his second consecutive leading jockey title by one win (109-108) over Fernando de la Cruz in a battle that came down to the final race of the season. The Puerto Rico native bettered the 106 victories he posted in 2022.
“There are a lot of people that work hard for me,” Ramos said. “I worked hard for this, and I dreamed of this, but it wouldn't be possible without all the people around me. My agent, Bones [Kerry Wirth], deserves the credit. He is the one that gets my business going and when we struggle, he takes me out of that and gets me back going.”
Garcia earned his first title as leading trainer in 2017 and proved best for a fifth time, winning 73 races during the 123-day meet with earnings of better than $1.7 million. Garcia has now trained 495 winners in his career.
“I'm always surprised with our 2-year-olds,” said Garcia. “That's what excites me every year. They give you hope each year and it's real exciting to see them. And you are always looking for the next 2-year-old. That's exciting. We start with our babies in September and work with them for 60 days, then we give them a break and start back with them.”
The Speiss/Klopp partnership was leading owner for the third straight season, with 33 wins from 168 runners and earnings of more than $834,000.
“Randy and his crew did a great job again,” said Spiess. “Our partnership goes well beyond 20 years and the entire barn works hard. A special thanks goes out to everyone in the barn and all the jockeys. It was another great year.”
The 2024 meeting at Horseshoe Indianapolis kicks off Monday, Apr. 8 with a special program to coincide with the total solar eclipse in the area that afternoon. The season ends Nov. 14.
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