There are 15 jockeys who have ridden 6,000 winners in their careers. On Sunday, Edgar Prado became the 16th jockey to achieve that distinction. He won the sixth race at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Edgar Prado, 40, has been riding in America since 1986. He was the undisputed leader in Maryland for several years before moving to the New York circuit in 2000. Prado won the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro. In the Preakness two weeks later, Barbaro was the odds on choice. He had a mishap moments after the gates opened and did not finish.

In the 2006 Breeders' Cup distaff, Prado rode Round Pond to victory. Prado expressed his gratitude to his friends. "This is a big deal. I had a lot of support and you need people to support you to do these things. I have ridden many good horses and I am thankful to those who gave me those horses."

Prado is one of a handful of riders whose services are sought after by the leading stables. It was reported that when Prado left Maryland, interest in racing in that State waned and such was his popularity.

An important race on the road to the Kentucky Derby was held at Santa Anita on Sunday. It was the Grade-II San Vicente Stakes for sophomores that carried a $147,000 purse. It was a race over 1,400 metres on the all weather track.

Only four three year-olds answered the starter's call. The 11-10 favourite was Into Mischief, a colt from trainer Richard Mandella's yard. Into Mischief was well supported on the basis of a strong win in the Hollywood Futurity in December.

Into Mischief was no match for Georgie Boy, ridden by Rafael Bejarano. Jockey Bejarano was winning his third Grade-I event in two days at Santa Anita. Georgie Boy, a Tribal Rule colt and out of Ippodamia, a Peterhof mare, had won the Del Mar Futurity last summer. Bejarano kept Georgie Boy in striking range. In the lane, Georgie Boy responded spiritedly to Bejaran's call and drew away. The margin was three and one quarter lengths and the time was 1 20.01 seconds. The return was $7.80.

Rafael Bejarano spoke highly of Georgie Boy. "The two horses we had to beat were speed horses. I wanted to be close. When I turned him loose, he just took off. He's a super horse."

The $200,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on March 15, is likely to be Georgie Boy's next target and then on to Louisville for the Run for the Roses.

Jockey Alan Munro, 41, has been sidelined since August 2006. Jockey Munro, a Derby winner, rode Araafa to victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2006. Munro suffered convulsions and was advised not to ride. He has now been cleared and will ride in France on Wednesday. Later, he will head to Britain and will ride horses from Peter Chapple-Hyam's stable. Munro is one of the better known jockeys in Britain.

Sources: NTRA and Racing Post