Ex-trainer Cross to Handle Jorge Carreno's Book

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Former trainer David Cross Jr., who won the 1983 Kentucky Derby with Sunny's Halo, will launch a new career as a jockey agent at Hollywood Park next week with apprentice Jorge Carreno.

"There's not a bug rider here and the kid looks good on a horse," said Cross Wednesday. "I got out of training three years ago, but I read a condition book for 44 years."

Carreno, a 19-year-old native of Mexico City, won 35 races at Illinois' Fairmount Park since August, according to Cross. "David Gall, the retired jockey training at Fairmount, mentioned him to me," said Cross of the connection.

Cross said that Carreno tacks 109 pounds and is riding at Hawthorne this week. "I'm flying him out here Sunday morning to get licensed that day," said Cross. He said he hopes to land his first mounts at Hollywood Park next week.

Cross credited veteran agents Scotty McClellan and Tony Matos in helping him with the career change.

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