Apprentice Carrasco earns 200th win of the year

Victor Carrasco earned his 200th win of the year on Friday at Laurel Park (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

The Victor Carrasco train continues to roll as the
apprentice rode two winners Friday at Laurel Park, including number 200 for the
year. The 21-year-old now has 201 victories in 2013.

Carrasco, who has won 37 races from 156 mounts (23.7 percent) at
the central Maryland track in the last six weeks, visited the winners’ circle
with Golden Rings and Street Surprise in the 4TH and 5TH races, respectively.

It was the 11th time in the last 15 racing days that
Carrasco has produced a multiple win afternoon at Laurel. He leads the current
fall standings with 57 victories.

“I feel great. When I came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, I
was hoping to win 100 races so to get to 200 is exciting,” Carrasco said. “I
appreciate all the trainers for trusting me and giving me a chance. I am riding
some good horses and am taking advantage of it.”

Carrasco, who finished second in the Pimlico spring and
Delaware Park standings, tops all North American apprentice riders in both
victories and earnings ($3,991,115). He ranks 13th overall in wins and 50th in
earnings.

He is one of five apprentice riders vying for the three
Eclipse Award finalist spots. The others are Edgard Zayas (183 wins, $3.5
million as an apprentice), Emmanuel Esquivel (138 wins, $3.2 million), Trevor
McCarthy (128 wins, $3.4 million) and Manny Franco (120 wins, $3.8 million).