Van Dyke Makes Riding Debut at Arlington

California-based apprentice Drayden Van Dyke has taken his show on the road this weekend to Arlington International Racecourse for Million Preview Day.  The 19-year-old native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, will ride five horses - all for trainer Tom Proctor - including Gulsary in the Grade III $200,000 Modesty Handicap and Avanzare in the Grade III $200,000 Arlington Handicap.

 

“I’m definitely excited. It’s a great opportunity to pick up these mounts,” Van Dyke said. “I hope it works out. It’s also a nice, wide track and was a great first impression when I got here. The jocks room is really nice and the whole facility is very elegant. Tom actually had me gallop a horse right after I flew in on the redeye. I wasn’t expecting that, but it was a good chance to see the track.”

Proctor has been vital in the development of Van Dyke. “I won my first race for him - it was my second ride and was on a horse for Glen Hill (Farm) called Money Clip on November 21 at Hollywood Park,” Van Dyke explained. “His assistant Lisa Sloan actually hooked us up. He sent me to Glen Hill to learn to be a horseman. He doesn’t like jockeys who aren’t horsemen.”

 

As far as his rides on Saturday for Proctor, Van Dyke is already doing his homework. “I haven’t been on any of them, but I’m studying all their good races, looking at as much as I can and then I’ll go out there and do what Tom tells me to do,” he said. “Tom is easy to work with.  He tells me what to do with the horse and to have fun.”

Currently the leading rider at the first thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos (10 wins with a four-win lead), Van Dyke departs soon after his Arlington rides. “I’m flying back out tonight,” he said.  “I have four rides tomorrow at Los Al.”