At Aqueduct Racecourse on Thursday, jockey Manny Franco had an outstanding day, winning six out of nine races, including three consecutive victories to close out the event.
The 31-year-old rider from Carolina, Puerto Rico posted a record of 9 rides with 6 wins and 3 losses, raising his total to 25 wins in the winter championship season and securing first place in the current jockey standings.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God,” Franco remarked. “I also appreciate the trainers and horse owners who consistently trust me. I’m committed to delivering results every time I’m in the saddle. When I have a horse, I’m going to get the job done—that’s my responsibility.”
Franco kicked off his winning streak in the first race aboard Sea Vista, a six-furlong maiden run trained by the two-time Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox, earning his first victory of the day. After a less successful second race, he quickly bounced back by guiding Cadena, trained by Fernando Abreu, to a win in the third race’s six-furlong claiming event.
“My agent, John Panagotto, is exceptional and does a fantastic job,” Franco said. “He pushes me to be the best rider every day. I am grateful to have his support and thankful for this great opportunity.”
Franco’s next triumph came in Race 5 with Mattea, a New York-bred horse trained by Mark Hennig. The one-turn mile race saw Mattea pull ahead decisively for the win. In Race 7, Franco piloted Top Player to victory in a 6 ½ furlong claimer for trainer George Weaver.
Heading into his fifth victory of the day, Franco rode Other People’s Money, trained by Rob Atlas, in Race 8. The front-running filly conquered nine furlongs on the state-bred track.
“This filly won her last race with us, but today’s race was different,” Franco explained. “Last time I was chasing the pace, but today she led and I let her run freely. She just kept pushing forward.”
The finale, Race 9, featured Hot Gossip, trained by Joe Sharp. The horse stumbled slightly but made a strong rally in the final stretch to win the seven-furlong maiden auction claiming race, securing Franco’s sixth win of the day and completing a hat trick of consecutive wins.
Racing will continue at Suidobashi on Friday with an eight-race schedule, with live updates beginning at 1:10 pm ET.
America’s Day at the Races offers live daily coverage and expert analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack Winter Games on FOX Sports. For a full broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.
NYRA Bets serves as the official wagering platform for Aqueduct Racetrack and is considered the premier way to bet on all Winter Games races. The NYRA Bets app is available nationwide for download on both iOS and Android devices at www.NYRABets.com.
This report was first published by Paulick Report on February 12, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: Manny Franco’s dominance at Aqueduct highlights the rise of a talented jockey who could shape the future of the sport. His ability to consistently deliver wins under pressure not only excites fans but also raises the competitive bar in horse racing.
