Former Colonial Downs Top Rider Edgar Prado Gets Win Number 7,057; Ties For 8th All Time

Congratulations to rider Edgar Prado who gave Virginia racing fans plenty of thrills in the early days of Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent. The popular jock won the Virginia Derby three consecutive years, from 2002-2004. He guided Orchard Park, Silver Tree and Kitten’s Joy to victory in scoring a natural riding hat trick of sorts.

The 2020 thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs will run from July 23 – August 29 with programs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 5:30 PM.

Edgar Prado moved into a tie with fellow Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. as Thoroughbred racing’s eighth leading riders in the all-time races-won standings Wednesday, scoring his 7,057th career victory at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Prado won aboard Cory Gal ($5) in front-running fashion in Race 4.

“It’s an honor to reach that goal and tie Angel Cordero,” Prado said. “Hopefully, I’ll go by him one of these days, but it’s an honor.”

Jockey Edgar Prado won the Virginia Derby on three separate occasions.

Prado, who rode as an apprentice in his native Peru, began riding in the U.S. in 1986. He notched his first win aboard Single Love at Calder on June 1, 1986. The 53-year-old jockey, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, has amassed countless highlights during his illustrious career, including a Kentucky Derby (G1) win aboard Barbaro in 2006, when he was honored with an Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding jockey, and Belmont Stakes (G1) wins aboard Birdstone (2004) and Sarava (2002), as well as five Breeder’s Cup victories.

Prado’s mounts have earned nearly $270 million in purses.