Jockey Jesus Castanon officially recorded his 2,000th career winner when
guiding SECESSIONIST (Southern Image) to victory in Friday’s 1ST race at Keeneland.
Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, the 5-2 favorite was reserved in fourth before
making his move on the final turn, going four wide to wear down Deadly Catch
(Dixie Union) before taking the lead to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:10 in the
six-furlong Polytrack maiden race.
“I was hoping that I would get it done at Arlington, but now (that) I’ve got
my whole family in Kentucky and I’ve been here for 15 years, it couldn’t get
better than this,” Castanon said. “To be at Keeneland, it’s such a nice place to
get it done.”
Afterward, members of the Keeneland jockey colony congratulated Castanon in
the winner’s circle.
A resident of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Castanon began his riding career in
his native Mexico before coming to the United States. His first win came aboard
She’s the World at Agua Caliente in 1989. Castanon estimated that he won
approximately 200 races in Mexico that are not included in his official record.
Also excluded from the tally are his victories aboard Arabians last winter at
Tampa Bay Downs.
The milestone victory marked the 53rd Keeneland win for Castanon, who plans
to ride at the Lexington, Kentucky, oval for the remainder of the meeting.
It didn’t take Castellano long to start on the road to win number 3,000. He
won on his next mount, even-money favorite CALEB’S POSSE (Posse) in the 3RD
race, also for Von Hemel.