Saratoga Race Course 2022: The Jockeys

Luis Saez smiles after winning the Grade I Fourstardave Handicap on Casa Creed.

This is my third installment highlighting photos I took this summer at Saratoga Race Course while covering the meet for Saratoga Living Magazine. I previously showed photos I took of the races and the mornings at the main track and at the Oklahoma Training Track. In this post, I will share my favorite photos I took of jockeys. Some jockeys are seen more than others and some are not seen at all in this post. It was not my intent to show preference to any particular jockey; these just happen to be my favorite photos of jockeys that I took this summer.

Javier Castellano aboard Neuro in the paddock.
Bernard Dalton shows he’s number one after winning the Grade I A.P. Smithwick Memorial steeplechase race on Down Royal, held by his wife and trainer Kate Dalton.
Flavien Prat heads out of the winner’s circle after winning a race aboard Happy Farm.
Kendrick Carmouche holds up his whip triumphantly after winning an allowance optional claiming race aboard Smash Ticket.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velázquez was the cover story in the summer issue of Saratoga Living. To kick off the release of the issue, the magazine held an event at the Horseshoe Bar and Grill. I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny V himself at the party and taking this portrait of him.
Johnny V happily exits the winner’s circle after winning a race aboard Jane Mast.
Nest co-owner Mike Repole holds up his daughter Gioia to hug jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. after winning the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. I really love this photo because Mike Repole owned three of our beloved retired thoroughbreds at Old Friends at Cabin Creek where I volunteer, one of which he reclaimed just to retire him. He has a reputation for caring what happens to his horses in retirement.
Irad holds his daughter Sarai’s hand in the winner’s circle after the Coaching Club American Oaks.
Irad flashes a smile as he heads out of the paddock to win a race on Marvelous Maude.
Canadian jockey Chantal Sutherland heads off the track after her second place finish onboard Willy Boi in the Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
Joel Rosario gives Jackie’s Warrior a pet after winning the Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
Joel celebrates after winning the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes on Epicenter, who went on to win the Grade I Runhappy Travers Stakes as well.
It’s kisses for Joel in the winner’s circle after the Jim Dandy Stakes.
Eric Cancel hugs trainer Tom Morley after winning the Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes on Whitney day aboard longshot Dynadrive
Irad heads off the track in the ubiquitous Repole silks.
José Ortiz, brother to Irad, heads off the track after a very muddy race.
Joel flashes a smile after winning the Grade I Longines Test Stakes on Chi Town Lady.
A very happy Joel in the winner’s circle after the Test Stakes.
Irad in the paddock ahead of the Grade I Whitney Stakes.
Irad gives the thumbs up after winning the Whitney Stakes on Life is Good.
Tyler Gaffalione heads off the track after a race.
William Buick, center, looks satisfied after winning the Grade I Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes on Nations Pride.
Julien Leparoux is presented with the Mike Venezia Memorial Award in memory of a jockey who died in a tragic accident on the track.
Jackie Davis triumphantly enters the winner’s circle after winning her first race at Saratoga onboard locally-owned filly Vallelujah. Vallelujah is trained by her father Robbie Davis.
Apprentice jockey José Gomez heads off the track after a race.
Luis Saez gives the thumbs up after winning the Grade I Fourstardave Handicap onboard Casa Creed.
Luis is flanked by two of his daughters, Bella and Gianna, who hold up the trophy for the Fourstardave Handicap, in the winner’s circle.
Kendrick Carmouche is congratulated by one of the connections of Mirth ‘n Merriment in the winner’s circle.
A close up of Luis Saez winning the Smart N Fancy Stakes on Caravel.
Julien Leparoux heads off the track after the Grade I Alabama Stakes.
Irad celebrates after winning the Alabama Stakes on Nest.
Mike Repole gives Irad a big hug in the winner’s circle after the Alabama Stakes.
Luis flashes a smile in the paddock.
Everyone wants a photo of Joel as he enters the winner’s circle after winning the Travers Stakes onboard Epicenter.
Joel gets a hug from Winchell Thoroughbreds manager David Fiske in the winner’s circle after the Travers Stakes.

To see more of my Saratoga area photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.

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