Contact: DAK Productions
(708) 222-4540

Jockeying For Position

Martin Jr., Emigh Near Milestones; Torres Returns

It seems like yesterday that six-time Hawthorne riding champ Chris Emigh garnered career victory number 2,000. Actually, it was two years ago, and remarkably, the 35-year-old native of Portsmouth, Virginia, is on target to win his 2,500th race by meet’s end. Following a rare winless card on Wednesday, Emigh will leave the starting gate Thursday afternoon with 2,471 wins to his credit.

Eddie Martin Jr. also went winless on Wednesday, leaving him seven wins away from 3,000. There are currently 131 riders in the 3,000 win club, including current Hawthorne jocks Earlie Fires (6,401), Randy Meier (3,957), Jose Ferrer (3,393) and Carlos Silva (3,365).

Francisco Torres is named to ride two horses on Friday at Hawthorne. Following his second place finish behind Emigh in the Arlington standings, Torres rode opening week at Hawthorne before taking some personal time off.

• Hawthorne’s Place Pick Nine wager was finally hit on Wednesday, with nine correct $1 combinations returning $4,275.80. There are Thursday carryovers in both the Pick Six of $13,599 and the Late Pick Four of $7,275.

-30-