5/17/2025

(Auburn, WA) It’s time to release our first Jockey Power Rankings of the season. We waited for 4 race days before we began our weekly assessment of whose hot and whose not? It is not all based on wins. Our rankings come from the bettors perspective. There are more ways to win as a bettor than betting winning tickets so finishing 1st through 5th for the Super High 5 wager are all important. We look at all angles and of course there is a subjective piece to it all.

This year is setting up to be a fun season with the most loaded jockey room maybe since opening day, June 20, 1996. Let’s got to our inaugural Power Rankings for 2025!

1) Silvio Amador

Silvio Amador is the only one with a 4 day win streak winning at least 1 race on all 4 racing days. He is tied at the top of the standings with 6 wins. His win percent is 33%, he hits the top 3 at 67% and is part of the superfecta 78% of the time. He also leads in earnings by nearly $20,000 sweeping the feature races this past weekend. And he began the year as the first one in the Winners Circle. Amador is 6-3-3-2 from 18 starts. No doubt Amador it #1. 

2) Kevin Krigger

Kevin Krigger began as hot as can be and is the only rider with a triple taking 3 wins on Kentucky Derby Day. He had a win on opening day and then doubled last Saturday to share the lead with Amador with 6 wins. He did get shut out on Sunday but you can’t leave him off your exotic bets. Krigger is 6-3-2-4 from 23 mounts for a26% win rate, 48% in the trifecta and 65% top 4. Clearly the #2 ranking.

3) Kevin Orozco

Kevin Orozco was the leading Stakes rider just a couple of seasons ago and has been here since his apprentice season skipping just one year. Orozco is a fan favorite and an Emerald veteran. He’s off to a great start and certainly one to have on your tickets. Out of the 12 wagers available Orozco is part of 9 of the highest paying returns to bettors. And he did it on 5 different horses, it wasn’t brining one longshot in early and being part of a bunch of the high returns. He is 4-3-1-2 winning at a 22% rate, top 3 at 44% and 56% superfecta finish. Our #3 pick.

4) Francisco Duran

Francisco Duran began as the lone rider doubling on opening day. Duran then doubled on Sunday to push his record to 4-3-1-0 from 14 rides for a 29% win clip. He’s 57% in the top 3 and 57% top 4 finishes. He’s not placed 4th yet and has wins on 2 of the 4 days. Duran is new to Emerald and already making it known he will have to be dealt with. Our #4 choice this week.

5) Francisco Monroy

Francisco Monroy another newcomer and has made waves for the big numbers he’s brought across the finish line winning with a 32-1 shot on Derby Day and 28-1 last Saturday then bringing home a 3-1 shot on Sunday for a 21-1 average win pay. Monroy is 3-0-3-2 from 13 rides winning at 23%, 38% in the trifecta and 62% top 4. We haven’t calculated his average win odds but it’s not 2-1 for sure. Monroy is getting the most out of the horses he is riding. Watch out!  

6) Manuel Americano

Yes Manny Americano is likely disappointed with only 2 wins from 20 rides for just a 10% win rate. But he is on the board and many of his rides the 2nd time won’t surprise us if they turn into wins. The apprentice who got his 1st win at Emerald last year is 2-5-7-3 with a 70% top 3 rate and 85% superfecta finish. The 70% top 3 and 85% top 4 are the highest of all the riders. He is our #6 in the opening PR’s.

7) David Haldar

Shipping in from Mahoning Valley and Fingerlakes in New York, David Haldar got his first wins this past Sunday at Emerald Downs winning back-to-back. This is after several strong showings and quickly is making a name for himself in the PNW. Haldar enters this week with a 2-2-4-0 record from 12 starts. He’s winning at 17% but hitting the board at 67% for both tri’s and supers. Haldar is just getting comfortable we expect a big season from him and he begins at #7.

8) Julien Couton

Julien Couton is a former Emerald Downs riding Champ and he’s still one to be concerned with if he’s not on your horse. Couton is off to a solid start riding 15 races with a 2-1-0-3 record winning 13%, top 3 at 20% and top 4 at 40%. We think Julien is just warming up and won’t be surprised to see him catch fire.

9) Alex Cruz

A pre-season Power Ranking would have had the 5 time riding Champion right at the top but it’s been a rough start for Cruz. He remains a popular target for trainers as he leads in mounts with 28. They know he knows how to win in Auburn but he’s got just 1 win and an overall record of 1-2-4-6. We expect many of the rides he’s had will get turned around when they start a second time. We wouldn’t count Cruz out anytime soon. he’s one that can get red hot and close the gap in a hurry.

10) Pablo Castillo

Pablo Castillo made his North American debut on opening debut as an apprentice jockey. Castillo needed just 2 tries to get his first career win when he scored in the 3rd race on opening day with Fantastic Dream, the 7-1 longest shot on the board in the 5 horse field winning by a clear length. Pablo has been shut out since then but he has been close and currently has ridden 13 races and is 1-3-1-4 for an 8% win rate, 38% top 3 and 69% top 4. Pretty good start for the new apprentice in Auburn.

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