From a Maryland Jockey Club release
Jockey Horacio Karamanos rode two winners this afternoon at Laurel Park with his first two mounts since December 31.
“I am happy,” Karamanos said. “I caught a cold at the beginning of the year. It took me about 10 days to get better so instead of taking a chance in the cold weather I took a vacation and went to visit relatives in Argentina. Then we went to Florida for the Jockeys Guild meeting.”
The 40-year old led from start to finish atop claiming filly Coco Punch ($21.40) in the third race for trainer Robin Graham. With his only other mount of the afternoon, Karamanos delivered a stirring stretch drive to be up in time with favorite Tupancy Links ($3.60) and won by a nose, taking the sixth race for trainer Vernon Allinson.
“This morning was the first day I was back on horses,” added Karamanos. “I am not even tired. I love to exercise and am in very good shape. I have a personal trainer who pushes me to do more and more as I get older.”
Karamanos tied a Laurel Park record by riding seven winners on October 26, 2002 and has four riding titles in the state: 2002 Laurel summer, 2003 Pimlico summer-fall, 2007 Laurel fall and 2010 Pimlico spring. He has 984 winners at the major Maryland tracks since arriving in 2002.
(Featured image, of Horacio Karamanos, by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.)
