Ramon Vazquez, Peter Miller win Santa Anita autumn titles

Jockey Ramon Vazquez, a 38-year-old native of Puerto Rico, cemented his status as Santa Anita’s autumn meet leading rider by winning two races early on Sunday’s 10-race program and finished with 25 victories through the 18-day stand, five better than runner-up Juan Hernandez.

Recently arrived this past March, Vazquez, who had been a mainstay at tracks such as Prairie Meadows in Iowa and Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, took his first-ever Santa Anita title on Santa Anita’s autumn meet closing day.

“I’m grateful to be here and to the owners and trainers who have supported me,” said Vazquez.  “I’m blessed, this is big for me because not everybody who comes to ride at Santa Anita has made it (leading jockey) in such a short time.  I’m so blessed and I thank everybody who has supported me.”

Vazquez, who is represented by agent Bill Castle, had four stakes wins, two back of Umberto Rispoli.

Peter Miller, a 56-year-old native Angelino who bases primarily out of San Luis Rey Downs Training Center, collected his fourth autumn meet title and his sixth overall Santa Anita training crown.

“We’re very excited to win another title at Santa Anita,” said Miller.  “It’s always a great accomplishment to win there.  It’s a team effort.  The people in the barn did a great job all meet and really special thanks to my owners for being just the best, the most loyal group of owners a guy could ask for.

“Looking ahead, we’ll have a small string at Oaklawn but our main focus will be at Santa Anita.”