Jockey Geovanni Franco achieved his 1,000th career win when his horse Miss Commander was promoted to victory in a race at Del Mar, marking a significant milestone in his career that began in Mexico City in 2009 and has spanned various tracks in the US and Canada.
‣ Jockey Geovanni Franco achieved the 1,000th win of his career at Del Mar, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
‣ Franco has been riding at Del Mar since 2017, with a brief hiatus in 2022. He expressed his gratitude for achieving his 1,000th win at this venue.
‣ Franco’s career has spanned multiple locations, including Mexico City, Vancouver, Santa Anita, and the Midwest. He has been the leading rider at Turf Paradise in 2012 and 2013.
Geovanni Franco, the jockey, recently celebrated a significant milestone. He snagged the 1,000th win of his career, and it was all thanks to his mount, Miss Commander. This win occurred during the second race at Del Mar on a Saturday.
Miss Commander didn’t initially win though. She was second under the wire, but then got promoted to the top spot. When asked if the victory felt less significant because it came via DQ, Franco just smiled.
His response? “It doesn’t.” He’s no stranger to winning races by DQ. In fact, he’s had plenty of such victories. For Franco, a win is a win, no matter how it comes.
Franco’s relationship with Del Mar goes back to 2017. He took a break in 2022, moving his tack back to the Midwest. But he couldn’t stay away for long. He was back at Del Mar this summer, racking up 12 wins. And he’s added five more to his tally this fall at the oceanside oval.
The 1,000th win at Del Mar was a humbling experience for Franco. He’s been riding there for the past five years, which made the victory even sweeter. And he’s eager for more.
Franco’s journey as a jockey started way back in 2009. His first win was at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City. Later that year, he ventured to Canada, riding at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.
In 2010, he moved to Santa Anita. He rode out the winter meet before heading to Golden Gate Fields. He spent most of 2011 in Northern California, ending the year at Turf Paradise. He was the leading rider there in 2012 and 2013.
Franco started exploring other tracks in 2014. He rode at Sunland Park, Santa Anita again, Finger Lakes in New York, and even Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania. By 2015, he had settled in the Midwest. He rode at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Remington Park in Oklahoma, and Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
Franco’s career has seen some notable victories. He was runner-up aboard Lieutenant Dan in the 2021 GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He’s also had top-level victories with Fault in the 2018 GI Santa Margarita S. and Secret Spice in the 2019 GI Beholder Mile.
