To say jockey Jaime Torres is on a fast track with his fledgling riding career is an understatement. Just two years into riding, Torres won the coveted Preakness Stakes (GI) aboard Seize the Grey earning the unanimous selection as Jockey of the Week by the panel of racing experts for the week of May 13 through May 19.

The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Riding in his first Triple Crown race and for legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Torres and Seize the Grey were coming into the Preakness off a surprise win in the Gr. II Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. The win prompted Lukas to retain Torres for the Preakness even after being approached by agents representing more experienced riders.

“I thought he (Torres) had a lot talent and I loved working with him, but I really feel good about taking him to this level,” said Lukas.

“It means a lot, said Torres. “From the beginning Wayne has given me a lot of opportunities, and I appreciate that.”

After breaking from post position five in the field of eight for the Preakness, Torres confidently guided Seize the Grey right to the front just off the rail on a surface listed as muddy. Seize the Grey continued to lead the way along the backstretch. Still in command at the top of the stretch, Seize the Grey dug in with Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan and Catching Freedom in pursuit. Seize the Grey held off Mystik Dan to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown by a decisive 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.82 for a mile and three-sixteenths.

“He’s such an amazing horse,” said Torres of Seize the Grey. “He just relaxed for me, and he felt the other horses coming close and he was just looking at them. As soon as I asked, I had a lot of horse. That was like from the quarter pole to the wire, he gave me everything.”

Torres, 25 and a native of Puerto Rico, discovered a passion for riding horses after attending the races at Camarero. To develop his new found focus, he quit college and enrolled in jockey school. Torres moved state side becoming an exercise rider then taking out his jockey license in August, 2022. He rode his first winner September 17, 2022 at Gulfstream Park aboard Takestwotowiggle. The following year, he moved his tack to New York and was the leading apprentice on the NYRA circuit. He rode at Fair Grounds over the past winter finishing 5^th in the standings. Torres intends to ride full time at Saratoga this summer.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Javier Castellano with two stakes wins at Pimlico, Frankie Dettori with a graded stakes win at Pimlico, Elvin Gonzalez with a stakes win at Prairie Meadows and nine wins for the week to lead all jockeys and John Velazquez who won the Gr. II Black-Eyed Susan.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!