Jockey Javier Castellano got off to a blazing start July 25 at Saratoga Race Course, sweeping the early Pick 4 en route to five consecutive wins on the card. The streak catapulted Castellano to the top of the Spa's early jockey standings with six victories through the first three days of the meet.
After starting the day with a third-place finish in the first race aboard Frivolous Buck, Castellano kicked off his winning streak in the second race, guiding New York-bred juvenile filly Yawkey Way ($7.60) to a 5 ½-length debut victory. He went on to capture the final three legs of the early Pick 4 sequence with Cody Samora ($3.80), Desert Key ($8.80) and Fiddler's Chaparito ($5.10). He then piloted another first-time starter, 3-year-old Stand Proud, to a thrilling upset in the sixth race ($27).
The early Pick 4 on Races 2-5 paid $181 and both of Castellano’s debut winners were for trainer Chad Brown, a native of Saratoga Springs whose three wins tie him with Todd Pletcher for the lead in the trainer standings.
“I’m very lucky today with everything going the right way,” Castellano said. “I am thankful, blessed, and appreciate all of the trainers giving me support to ride horses. I give a lot of credit to my agent, Matt Muzikar; he put me on the right horses. [Winning at Saratoga] is very important to me. It’s very prestigious with a lot of good riders. The competition is tough and hopefully we’ll have good luck today, and also for the rest of the meet. We’re looking forward.”
Castellano has ridden five winners at Saratoga on three occasions.