Castellano sets new North American earnings mark

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jockey Javier Castellano has set a new North American record for earnings in a calender year, surpassing the mark held by Ramon Dominguez.

Castellano broke Dominguez's 2012 record of $25,634,852 on Friday at Gulfstream Park when he won the third race aboard I Ain't Gonna Lie. The win gave the 36-year-old Castellano $25,655,988 for the year.

"I am very proud to break the record," Castellano said. "One thing you work for all year round is this moment. I'm very proud to be at the level of Ramon Dominguez. He is such a classy guy.

"It feels so great. I am so thankful and blessed to be competitive with the top jockeys in the country. I appreciate all the opportunity from the owners and trainers, everybody involved, especially my agent. He handled my business the right way."

The earnings reflect only races run in North America. Joel Rosario won the Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom in March and that victory together with his North American winnings has him at more than $27 million for the year.

In his career, Castellano has won 3,617 races from 20,918 mounts and more than $189 million. Last month he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Ria Antonia and won the 2006 Preakness Stakes aboard Bernardini.