Winning One For NorCal: Orozco Named Jockey Of The Week After San Francisco Mile Victory

“I wanted to win so badly for Northern California,” said jockey Irving “Danny” Orozco after his victory in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields April 27. The win earned the regular Northern California rider the honor of Jockey of the Week for April 22 through April 28 by the panel of racing experts.

The weekly award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization representing more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Trainer Manuel Badilla gave a leg up to Orozco on Great Britain-bred Lammas in the final San Francisco Mile and it was fitting that a local horse and rider wound up in the winner’s circle.

1/ST Racing, which operates Golden Gate for owner The Stronach Group, said the Bay Area track will run its final races next month and close for good. The San Francisco Mile is the track's final graded stakes.

Off at odds of 9-1 in the field of 11, Lammas broke from post position two and settled in mid-pack before reaching contention on the turn. Going four-wide, Lammas got clear at the quarter pole chasing the leader Air Force Red. With a determined run, Lammas just edged past Air Force Red at the wire while keeping race favorite Balnikhov, who was rallying up the rail late, at bay.

“Plan A was to track from off the pace,” Orozco said. “He’s a grinder.” With Orozco aboard, Lammas has now won three in a row. He became the 7-year-old gelding’s regular rider earlier this year.

“This race has been won by a lot of outsiders,” Orozco said after the race. “People were hoping that a local horse would win. I felt confident I had the best local horse.”

Winning meant a great deal to Orozco as a year ago when the race was contested he was recuperating from significant injuries that would keep him out of action for four months. The win was Orozco’s most prestigious since G.G. Ryder won the G3 All-American Stakes in 2017 at Golden Gate.

Orozco, 30, grew up in El Mirage, Calif. just north of Riverside and comes from a racing family as his parents and grandparents have worked on the backside for more than 40 years. His brother, Kevin, also rides at Golden Gate as well as Emerald Downs.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week include Frankie Dettori, who won a graded stakes at Santa Anita; Manny Franco, who won the leading rider title at the Aqueduct Spring Meet; Irad Ortiz, Jr., who won his first Keeneland riding title and posted the most wins for the week with eight; and Flavien Prat with a stakes win at Aqueduct.