Mario Gutierrez, a jockey with two Kentucky Derby wins, has settled at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Partnered with trainer Brian Lynch, Gutierrez secured victories aboard Kitten’s Joy and Sweetest Chant on January 31st. These achievements led the Board of Horse Racing Experts to name Gutierrez Jockey of the Week for the period from January 26th to February 26th.
This weekly award honors jockeys who have notable performances and are members of the Jockeys Guild, an organization established in 1940 representing over 1,050 active, retired, and disabled jockeys in the United States.
Lynch and Gutierrez’s stakes success began with the fifth race on the turf—a 1 1/16-mile contest named Thousand Sticks, featuring Kitten’s Joy. Thousand Sticks, breaking from post four in a field of seven, settled just behind front-runner Redland Rebels, ridden by Junior Alvarado. Approaching the stretch, Gutierrez challenged the leaders and achieved a close victory in 1:40.23, marking his third turf win with Thousand Sticks.
Reflecting on the race, Gutierrez shared with a Gulfstream representative, “It was a good trip. We wanted to see if the competition would push the pace or allow us to lead, and we were happy to let them set the tempo.”
Seeking a second stakes win, Gutierrez rode Sister Troyenne in the Sweetest Chant race. The horse, winner of four straight races alongside Gutierrez, entered as the clear favorite among the 10 starters. Sister Troyenne ran second to the early pace-setter Day to Day before overtaking him to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:40.76 over 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Gutierrez, 39, claimed the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2012 aboard I’ll Have Another and won the 2017 Derby with Nyquist for trainer Doug O’Neill.
After competing primarily in Southern California since 2011, Gutierrez relocated his family and racing operations to Kentucky in early 2025 following the loss of his home during devastating California wildfires. Later, he accepted Brian Lynch’s offer to move to South Florida and race at Gulfstream Park, forming a partnership that has now yielded five stakes wins at the venue.
“I had planned to stay in Kentucky, but Brian Lynch gave me a fantastic chance to come here for the winter,” Gutierrez told Gulfstream staff. “I’m very happy and, although new to the Miami circuit, I’m receiving great support from trainers.”
Other jockeys considered for this week’s honors included Kazushi Kimura, winner of the San Pasquel (G2); Julian Leparoux, victor of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3); Irad Ortiz Jr., with 12 wins including Forward Gal (G3); and John Velazquez, who captured the Holy Bull Stakes (G3).
This story originally appeared in the News section of the Paulick Report on February 4, 2026. Click here to add the Paulick Report as your preferred news source.
Fan Take: Mario Gutierrez’s resurgence at Gulfstream Park highlights the enduring skill and resilience of top jockeys adapting to new challenges. This development excites fans by showcasing high-level competition and promising storylines that can elevate the sport’s profile in Florida’s vibrant racing scene.
