Going with the 'Flo' at Arlington as Geroux wins five on Million Day

French jockey Florent Geroux called riding at the Chicago-area Arlington International Racecourse a “home court advantage” after winning five of 10 races on the biggest day in Illinois racing.

The quintet included four stakes, which included three of the four international races: Da Big Hoss in the American St. Leger, Beach Patrol in the Secretariat and Sea Calisi in the Beverly D. The all-Geroux Pick 3 to kick off the International Festival of Racing paid 14.5-1.

“It’s always fun to come back where it all began,” said Geroux, who now mostly rides in Kentucky and New York. “The turf course here is one of the best in the country, and it helps to be on the right horses.”

Three of Geroux’s five wins came for trainer Chad Brown, who conditions Beach Patrol, Sea Calisi and Pucker Up winner Noble Beauty. Geroux also won the second race aboard Mendota for trainer Doug Matthews.

All five of his wins came on the turf, as he won five of the day’s eight turf races.

“I can’t carry the horses on my back and run for them; they carry me,” Geroux said. “The trainers did a great job today of getting their horses ready.”

Geroux came into Million day ranked fifth among jockeys by earnings, but moved ahead of John Velazquez after his five bagger. Of the top seven jockeys by earnings, Geroux has the fewest mounts.

Florent Geroux photo courtesy of Jamie Newell/Horsephotos.com