For a jockey agent at Monmouth Park this is what an embarrassment of riches looks like: Cory Moran will have the book for both Paco Lopez and Joe Bravo when the Jersey Shore track kicks off its 79th season May 11, with one statistic underscoring the significance of that pairing.
Combined, Bravo and Lopez have accounted for 23 riding titles at Monmouth Park.
"It's pretty amazing when you think about it," said Moran. "Both Joe Bravo and Paco Lopez have been among the most dominant riders in Monmouth Park history."
Bravo, who holds the track record with 13 titles, will be based at Monmouth Park again this summer after a brief hiatus while being reunited with Moran. The last time Moran and Bravo teamed up they won 31 graded stakes races (11 grade 1s) in 2015-16,
"Jersey" Joe, who was born in nearby Long Branch, last won a Monmouth Park riding title in 2007.
"I don't think I'll be going for the title. It's a lot of work," said the 52-year-old Bravo. "I'm not going out there trying to ride 10 or 11 races a day anymore and I haven't the past few years.
"The riding titles are great, don't get me wrong. But what makes it fun for me is riding good horses for good trainers."
Lopez enters the 51-day meet having won five straight Monmouth titles and nine of the past 11 to bring his total to 10.
The 38-year-old Lopez is closing in on his 4,000th career winner after finishing third in the standings behind Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz, respectively, during Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet.
"I still have a few years before I can catch Joe (for the most titles in track history)," said Lopez. "We've always gotten along, so it's going to be fun this summer. I feel like I have some good momentum coming into Monmouth Park."
Bravo has ridden 2,119 winners from 8,690 mounts exclusively at Monmouth Park over the course of his career.
"It's amazing what you can accomplish going around in circles," said Bravo, who has ridden more than 5,600 winners overall.
Lopez has won 1,213 races from 4,802 mounts at the Jersey Shore track since he became a fixture there in 2009.
"I've been with Paco since he started riding in the United States in 2007, so to think he is closing in on 4,000 wins overall, all while we have been together, is pretty incredible," said Moran. "He just wins. He's a win machine."
TRAINER BONUSES
Monmouth Park is offering added incentives for trainers during NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes weekend July 19-21, with a $150,000 Haskell Weekend Trainer Challenge that will feature a top payout of $75,000.
Bonuses for the three-day event will be determined by a point system that covers all of the races that weekend.
The centerpiece is the 57th edition of the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds July 20. The United Nations (G2T), Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3), Monmouth Cup (G3), Matchmaker Stakes (G3T), and Wolf Hill Stakes highlight the Haskell undercard.
The trainer accumulating the most points over the three-day weekend will receive $75,000, with $25,000 for second place, $20,000 for third, $10,000 for fourth, and $7,500 for fifth.
Trainers finishing sixth through 10th will each receive $2,500.
To be eligible, trainers must make at least five starts by entering in at least three races.
The Haskell Stakes will offer 25 points for the winning trainer, with 20 points for second, 15 points for third place, 10 points for fourth place, and seven points for finishing fifth through last place.
The point system for the graded stakes is as follows: 18 for first place, 15 for second, 10 points for third, eight points for fourth, and five points for fifth through last place.
The point system for all other stakes races will be 12-9-7-5 and 4 for fifth through last.
Maiden special weight, allowance, and handicap races will offer points on an 8-6-4 basis, with two points for fourth place through last place. All other races will have point values of five for first place, three for second, two for third, and one point for fourth through last place.
Every race over the three-day span will offer the opportunity to accumulate points.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
