Javier Castellano Records 2,000th North American Win

(from Calder report)
Jockey Javier Castellano notched his 2,000th North American victory at Calder Race Course on Saturday in the fourth race aboard Sarah Lyn Stables’ Brazilian bred Nombre de Dios for trainer Mark Hennig.

Joining him in the winner’s circle presentation was his younger brother and fellow rider, Abel Castellano Jr., as well as Calder President Ken Dunn, clerk of scales Victor Sanchez and other members of the Calder jockey colony.

A native of Venezuela, Castellano started his career at La Rinconada and came to the United States in 1997, arriving at Calder in June. His first winner in the United States was Phone Man at Calder on July 31, 1997.

He quickly established himself as a successful rider, garnering several stakes wins that first season. He went on to be the leading rider of the Tropical at Calder meet in 1999 and 2000.

Since then, Castellano counts among his victories Ghostzapper's triumph in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) and a trio of grade I wins with Bernardini last year.

(Chart, Equibase)