8/30/2024
(Auburn, WA) For the 1st time this season we couldn’t break the tie so we have 2 worthy riders at the top of the Power Rankings for edition #17. Juan Gutierrez and Luis Reyes each had strong cases to be #1 and they were so different we just couldn’t take one over the other. So let’s get to this week’s top 10!
2024 Power Rankings #17
#1 Juan Gutierrez (Last week #3)
Juan Gutierrez has been very efficient in the number of rides he gets a week. Last week he got in the saddle 5 times and won 3 including the $50,000 Washington Cup Juveniles for colts and geldings. Guti rang up a massive 60% win rate and that is a must to get to the top. Guti works as his own agent and is picky abouot his rides so winning at a 60% rate he’s pretty good at both.
#1 Luis Reyes (Last week #5)
Luis Reyes has been banging on the door to the top of the PR’s for several weeks. Only winning the mixed thoroughbred/quarterhorse race kept him from the top last week as that race doesn’t count in the jockey standings. But 5 wins and a 5-2-3-4 record with a 25% win rate, 50% top 3 and 70% top 4, Reyes earned his spot at number 1.
#3 Kevin Krigger (Last week #8)
After a couple of down weeks but still productive, Kevin Krigger was right back in the winner’s circle 4 times. Krigger went 4-3-1-1 from 14 starts for a 29% win clip and 64% top 4 finish. Krigger is back and ready for the stretch drive of the season.
#4 Carlos Montalvo (Last week #2)
After 2 weeks at #1, then #2 last week Montalvo slips all the way to…#4. Carlos remains as dangerous as anyone when he’s on board winning 3 from 10 mounts for a 30% win rate. Another strong week for Montalvo forcing the others to come up with extraordinary weeks to knock him down a few notches.
#5 Kevin Orozco (Last week unranked)
Kevin Orozco may not be in the top 5 riders with wins but he is tied for #2 in Stakes wins taking his 3rd Stake in the Washington Cup Juvenile fillies on Precise Timing. He now has 3 wins from 7 Stakes starts and all 3 wins with P-T for a 43% Stakes win rate, and he’s 3rd in Stakes earnings. Strong week for Orozco.
#6 Karlo Lopez (Last week #1)
Karlo Lopez continues to be an on-the-board force and picked up another 2 wins and finished the week 2-3-4-1 from 17 starts. Lopez was 12% in the win column but jumps to 57% top 3 and 64% top 4. Solid week for Karlo.
#7 Alex Cruz (Last week #6)
Alex Cruz is still in control of the jockey standings as he has been super consistent. Not having the big weeks like he did earlier in the season but fending off all challengers and is heading into the final 9 days with a 54-41 lead over Krigger. Cruz had 2 wins last week and if can simply finish with 2 wins a week for the final 3 weeks puts him at 60 wins. Krigger would have to win 6-6-7 in any order to only tie him. Cruz can clinch it with 1 big week don’t be surprised when he does it.
#8 David Martin (Last week unranked)
David Martin is having his best year at Emerald Downs especially the 2nd half of the season he is really making an impact. Martin picked up his 5th win of the season. He is also hitting the board with rides with big numbers. Martin finished 1-1-2-1 from 6 rides for a 17% win clip, 67% top 3 and 83% top 4. Martin is a must in the tri’s and super’s!
#9 Silvio Amador (Last week #4)
Another veteran rider who is having a great season on his terms as he is also working as his own agent. With 6 rides he scored a Superfecta with a 1-1-1-1 record. More than enough to keep him in the top 10. Maybe more trainers will realize the talent just waiting to get in the saddle.
#10 Allyssa Morales (Last week unranked)
Allyssa Morales has been sensational in carrying the water for the women. Emerald Downs and Longacres has a long history of tremendous women jockey’s from Jane Driggers to Vicky Baze (Aragon) to Debbie Hoonan, Chelsea Zupan and Jennifer Whitaker to name just a few. Morales picked up another win as the lone female other than 1 ride from one of our fav’s Connie Doll. Morales is #10 in the Jock standings in wins and #11 in earnings. Morales keeps grinding and has more than proved herself.
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