Velazquez on precipice of matching Bailey's graded wins record

Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez is approaching fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey's record of 660 graded stakes wins in the United States and Canada.

Velazquez, at 659 graded stakes wins, enjoyed a tremendous summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, where he recorded graded wins with Code of Honor in the Travers (G1), Mind Control in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1), Sistercharlie in the Diana (G1), Significant Form in the Ballston Spa (G2) and Global Access in the Saranac (G3). 

Over the summer, the veteran rider, who boasts 6,110 career wins heading into Friday's Belmont Park opener, also traveled to Del Mar to capture the Del Mar Oaks (G1) with Cambier Parc and to Arlington Park for another victory in the Beverly D. (G1) with Sistercharlie.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, Velazquez also notched a graded stakes win in his native Puerto Rico with King Seraf in the 2008 Grade 1 Copa Velocidad at Camarero.

A seven-time Eclipse Award winner, Jerry Bailey, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, recorded two wins in each Triple Crown race including Belmont Stakes scores with Hansel [1991] and Empire Maker [2003].

The first graded events of the Belmont fall meet are slated for Saturday, September 21, with the Kelso Handicap (G2) and the Noble Damsel (G3).