by Brisnet.com
Calder Race Course concluded its 45-day Tropical Meet on Friday, with jockey
Luiz Saez and trainer Antonio Sano taking the leading jockey and trainer titles,
respectively.
Saez rode 66 winners to become the leading rider of the 2011 Tropical Meet.
Daniel Centeno came in second place with 29 winners, while Fernando Jara was
third in the jockey standings with 27 winners.
The leading trainer of the Tropical Meet was Sano with 18 victories. Steve
Dwoskin and Nick Canani each sent out 16 winners to tie for second in the
trainer standings, while Jose Pinchin, Jose Garoffalo and Eddie Plesa Jr. came
next, each with 12 winners in another very competitive Tropical trainers’ race.
The Tropical Meet leading owner’s trophy went to Frank Calabrese, whose
horses won 19 races. Steve Dwoskin and Starship Stables tied for second place in
the owner standings with 10 winners each. Jose Pinchin came in third with seven
winners at the meet.
The 2011 Tropical Meet again showcased the Florida Thoroughbred breeding
industry with its renewal of the Florida Million on November 12. The event,
first held in 2002, features eight stakes races worth $1 million for registered
Florida-breds and is held in conjunction with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’
and Owners’ Association.
Six graded stakes were featured during the season, including two prestigious
turf fixtures, the Grade 2 W.L. McKnight Handicap and Grade 3 La Prevoyante
Handicap, won by Musketier and Casablanca Smile, respectively.
While the final day of the 2011 Tropical Meet was Friday, Calder remains open
seven days a week for full card simulcasting, slot games in the casino and live
poker action in Studz Poker Club. The full line-up of simulcast tracks includes
Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Tampa Bay Downs and
Oaklawn Park.
Admission and parking at Calder are free and valet parking is also available.