ARNALDO BOCACHICA NAMED JOCKEY OF THE WEEK
The perennial leading rider at Charles Town, Arnaldo Bocachica, won his final race on March 6 aboard Never Compromise to reach an even 2,000 wins in his career and earn Jockey of the Week honors for March 1 through March 7. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.
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The personable, quiet, hard-working journeyman jockey has led the jockey standings at Charles Town in both wins and purse earnings the last three years. He currently leads the meet with 52 wins and $788,326 in earnings. He rides first call on many of leading Charles Town trainer Jeff Runco’s starters. “A big congratulations to my main man Arnaldo Bocachica and his agent Billy Kennedy on his 2,000th win,” said Runco on Twitter. “Thank you boss for the support over the years,” Bocachica replied. “I’m grateful to be part of the Runco team.”
Bocachica’s weekly stats included 10 wins from 23 mounts for a 43.4% win percentage and 78% in-the-money percentage. He tied for second with number of wins for the week. His total purse earnings were $154,113.
Bocachica out-polled fellow riders apprentice Alexis Centeno who won his first graded race, Jose Ferrer who won the Gr. II Tampa Bay Derby, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won the most races for the week with 14, and Joel Rosario who won the Gr. I Santa Anita Handicap.
Bocachica also earned honors as one of Charles Town’s The Racing Biz Three Stars of the Week.
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