Julien Couton heading south
Jockey Julien Couton, currently in 7th place in the Golden Gate Fields meet, will be leaving the bay area next week to try his luck in Southern California.
Couton, a steady top 10 rider at GGF, recently finished second in the jockey standings in the month long 2012 summer meet to Russell Baze. Baze and Couton entered the last day of the meet tied but Baze won three races to take title.
However, this season hasn’t gone as smooth for Couton. During the six month meet that ends Sunday, Couton has been suspended three different times for “failure to maintain a straight course” during races. He rides on Saturday but will start serving a seven day suspension on Sunday.
“I think this is a good idea to try something different for the summer and see how it goes,” Couton said. “ I’ve never tried to ride down south with and agent so I’m excited about it.”
Couton will be handled by agent Dudley Osborne, who currently books mounts for Orlando Mojica.
The 30 year-old from Aizenay France, said he will also enjoy spending time with fellow countrymen Brice Blanc and Julien Leparoux.
“It will help me right now to be next to my friends,” Couton said. “I figure I have nothing to lose. It’s a good opportunity for me. I just want to be happy, that is my goal.”
After riding Saturday, Couton plans on being down south to begin working horses by the middle of next week.