Tevin Foster cements his lead in the jockey standings after historic five-timer
THE 2024 jockeys’ championship race has been the focus of attention since the season started. Tevin Foster, the current top rider, and Raddesh Roman ensured it remained intriguing with their intense battle.
Foster began the season strong, with the lead ahead of Roman after a few race days. Roman won many followers when he rode six winners on Sunday, January 28, taking the lead from Foster.
Foster, on the other hand, responded by winning a number of races, including a four-timer. While Roman was out due to bans and injuries, Foster took the chance and dominated the races.
On Sunday, April 14, Foster cemented his lead in the jockey standings by riding a historic five-timer on the 10-race card.
This achievement was especially noteworthy because Foster went winless the previous race day (Saturday, April 13), allowing his main challenger, Roman, who rode two winners, to cut the advantage to 11 wins.
Foster entered Sunday’s race meet with 38 wins, while Roman had 27 wins. He increased his total to 43 wins with the five winners, giving him a significant 16-win lead over Roman, who remained at 27.
Despite Foster’s sizable lead, the fight for the 2024 championship is far from over, with several race days remaining when any number of situations could play out.
It was the first time in his career that Foster has ridden five winners on a single race program, joining a rare group of riders to have done so.
Foster started his celebration party in the first race aboard Dancing Aviator in the maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-old fillies over 5 ½ furlongs. Trained by Jason Dacosta, Dancing Aviator won by 1 ½ lengths in a time 1:09.3.
His second winner came in the next event, a contest over 7 furlongs aboard the Ryan Darby-conditioned Cotterwood Kathy. The fiveyear-old grey mare won by 9 ¼ lengths, clocking 1:31.2.
Foster didn’t have to wait too long for his third winner, which he achieved in the fourth race when guiding Commander Z to an easy win in a maiden special weight event for native-bred threeyear-olds and imported threeyear-olds and upward at 5 furlongs straight. Commander Z came home in a time of 59.2 for his 3 ½ length win.
His best performance for the day was aboard Intrestntimesahead, who overcame traffic issues to easily defeat competitors in the $1.75 million Prince Consort Stakes main event. Intrestntimesahead was cramped for space shortly after leaving the starting gates, and despite having a lot of work to do, the bay colt came on strong in a deep stretch to win the seven-furlong event by three lengths. The final time for the race was a smooth 1:28.3. Intrestntimesahead is also trained by Dacosta.
Foster then capped off a successful day aboard Taurus Boy, trained by Philip Feanny, in the 10th and final event, an Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over 5 furlongs straight. Taurus Boy won by 2 ½ lengths, posting a in 59.4 clocking.
“First and foremost, I must thank God and all the connections between the horses. The owners, trainers, groom, and everyone else have prepared the horses very well, and I am happy that they perform accordingly.
“Thanks to the supporters as well, and this is going to be a terrific 2024 for Tevin Foster,” he said.