Jockey Manny Franco and coach Linda Rice have been the respective leaders of the jockey and coach standings at this 12 months’s Aqueduct winter meet, and stored their success rolling as they paced all others to win their respective classes on the Aqueduct spring meet, which ran from April 2-26.
Franco, 31, earned 22 wins to land his fourth driving title on the Aqueduct spring meet, including to wins in 2019 and 2023-24. The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, posted an total report of 22-28-16 from 103 begins, good for a win price of 21.36% and in-the-money price of 64.08% with $1,518,315 in complete purse earnings.
“I am simply completely happy every single day to have the chance from the trainers and house owners,” mentioned Franco, the New York Racing Affiliation (NYRA)’s main rider in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2025. “I am completely happy to be right here in New York, and I am blessed.”
Amongst Franco’s wins was a stakes triumph with the Rice-trained Sizzling Forex within the NYSSS Fourstar Criminal April 11, in addition to debut scores with promising sophomores All of It (April 16) and Homewood Hustle (April 18). He additionally celebrated three-win days on three consecutive playing cards from April 18-23.
“Whenever you win, all people is completely happy,” mentioned Franco, who’s represented by agent John Panagot. “That is my job—get the horses dwelling, and that is what I attempt to do every single day.”
Franco mentioned the meet title is a confidence booster heading into the weekend at Churchill Downs, the place he’s slated to trip native Wooden Memorial (G2) winner Albus within the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday, together with six different stakes contenders on the cardboard.
“That helps lots. Your confidence stage is on the high. I am simply wanting ahead to Saturday,” Franco mentioned. “Hopefully, we get a superb journey and take advantage of the chance.”
Jaime Rodriguez completed second within the standings with 13 wins, whereas Dylan Davis and Ricardo Santana, Jr. tied for third with 11 wins every.
Linda Rice, NYRA’s main coach in 2025, continued her successful methods with a dominant victory within the coach standings, posting 21 wins for her fourth consecutive and seventh total win at this meet. The spring meet title was her third consecutive on the circuit, and got here on the heels of a runaway victory on the Aqueduct winter meet, the place she posted a personal-best 62 wins, and on the Aqueduct fall meet with 31 wins.
Rice, 62, compiled a report of 21-19-11 from 79 begins with $1,180,564 in complete purses, good for a win price of 26.58% and an in-the-money proportion of 64.56.
“It has been a tricky winter right here in New York, and it wasn’t for the faint of coronary heart,” Rice mentioned, with fun. “I am anxious for the spring and summer time meet and for Saratoga. It has been an excellent winter, and hopefully we are able to hold it going.
“We simply take a look at distance, floor, and take a look at to verify we do not set the bar too excessive for them,” Rice added. “We search for affordable spots.”
Rice’s wins included a pair of stakes scores within the aforementioned Fourstar Criminal with Sizzling Forex, and within the listed Excelsior with Yo Daddy April 4, one among 4 wins on that card to associate with three allowance-level scores with Waitlist , Porosity , and Munnings Specific .
Rice mentioned Sizzling Forex is anticipated to make her subsequent begin within the state-bred $200,000 Bouwerie, slated for the June 3 New York Showcase Day to open the Belmont Stakes Racing Pageant at Saratoga Race Course.
“Sizzling Forex is a pleasant filly, and we’re pointing in the direction of the Bouwerie at Saratoga,” Rice mentioned. “I like having these good younger horses in our barn.
“It was thrilling to win with Yo Daddy,” Rice added. “We might given him six months off, he got here again and received an allowance, was second within the Stymie, after which received the Excelsior. It was actually rewarding.”
Chad Brown completed second within the coach standings with 11 wins, whereas Rick Dutrow, Jr. completed third with six wins.
As she did on the winter meet, Rice additionally got here out on high within the proprietor’s standings, posting seven wins with an total report of 7-12-4 from 35 begins and $406,794 in purse earnings. Her wins as an proprietor have been topped by a 4 1/4-length allowance romp by Commuted on April 25.
“I play the sport fairly aggressively in New York, and I believe the autumn, winter, and spring are a superb time for us to run horses and be aggressive,” she mentioned.
Successful Transfer Secure and Michael Dubb tied for second with 4 wins every.
Reside racing resumes April 30 on the opening day of the spring/summer time meet at Belmont on the Large A with an eight-race card. First submit is 1:10 p.m. ET.
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Workers.
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