Jockey Of The Week: Samy Camacho Springs 38

Tampa Bay's leading rider Samy Camacho had a mount in every race on the track's Festival Preview Day Saturday. Of his three wins that day, the best came in the Suncoast Stakes, defeating an Eclipse Award winner and a Grade 2 winner.

That notable accomplishment earned Camacho the honor of Jockey of the Week for Feb. 6 through Feb. 12. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

On Saturday, regular rider Samy Camacho was aboard Dreaming of Snow in the Suncoast Stakes for trainer Gerald Bennett. Also in the field of nine was newly crowned Eclipse Award winner Wonder Wheel and G2 Demoiselle Stakes winner Julia Shining. Even though she had won over the Tampa Bay surface previously, Dreaming of Snow was dismissed at odds of 38-1.

Breaking from post position five, Dreaming of Snow went straight to the front, racing against the rail and continuing to show the way through six furlongs. Exiting the far turn, Wonder Wheel challenged Dreaming of Snow, but the eventual winner refused to give in. Dreaming of Snow held off the champion by a neck for the win in 1:40.18 for a mile and forty yards.

Dreaming of Snow rewarded her believers $78 for the win. The Suncoast is a "Road to the Kentucky Oaks" points race, with Dreaming of Snow earning 20 points toward qualifying for the May 5 premier event for 3-year-old fillies.

"I beat Wonder Wheel – WOW!" Camacho exclaimed. "I know this filly well and when I got on her in the morning for the first time, I told (Bennett) I have to stay on her. She's pretty nice, but I never thought she would run two turns like this. She came back again when Wonder Wheel came to her."

Camacho, 34, is a native of Venezuela and began riding in the United States in 2012. He won his 1,000th career race at Monmouth Park May 21, 2022. His younger brother, Samuel Camacho, Jr. is also a jockey. Camacho is currently on his way to winning his 4th leading rider title at Tampa Bay with 57 wins, 22 more than runner-up Pablo Morales.

Camacho's competition for Jockey of the Week included Armando Ayuso who won the El Camino Derby at Golden Gate, Javier Castellano who led all riders in wins for the week with 10, Manny Franco who won the G3 Withers, and Luis Saez who won the G3 Sam F. Davis.