SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It’s been quite the whirlwind month for jockey Chris Elliott – and July isn’t over.
Elliott, who began the month as an apprentice jockey, won stakes without the weight allowance at Prairie Meadows and Saratoga within a two-week period. In between, he narrowly escaped injury after being unseated a quarter-mile into the first race of the traditional Saratoga meet on July 10.
Following the conclusion of last Saturday’s card, Elliott lost his apprentice status – and the five-pound allowance that goes with it. His journeyman career began Sunday with a second and a third from three mounts at Saratoga.
This Saturday, Elliott will get the chance to ride in his first Grade 1 stakes when he pilots Crazy Mason in the $400,000 Bing Crosby at Del Mar. Crazy Mason has won three of his last four starts, a streak that began when Elliott guided him from well off the pace to win a first-level allowance at Aqueduct in January.
Elliott was under suspension when Crazy Mason won a second-level allowance under Eric Cancel. Manny Franco guided Crazy Mason to victory in the Grade 2 Carter and a third in the Grade 2 True North. Franco has commitments at Saratoga on Saturday, including Mo Plex in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy.
Gregg Sacco, the trainer of Crazy Mason, said Elliott has a great work ethic, andpointed out that for 10 straight days Elliott got on Crazy Mason at 5:30 a.m. just to gallop him.
“Everyone needs a shot,” Sacco said. “I think he’s one of those apprentices that is going to make it as a journeyman.”
Elliott, the 19-year-old son of classic-winning rider Stewart Elliott, said losing the bug is actually a relief. He does 116 pounds, making it difficult to carry the lighter weight.
“Honestly, I feel like there’s a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Elliott said Wednesday. “With my bug, I was struggling to make the weight a little bit. I feel much better riding without it now. I feel much stronger, I feel better in the saddle. Honestly, I’m excited. I’m not worried about the weight.”
Elliott said winning the Rick Violette Stakes on Leon Blue last Thursday at Saratoga was perfect timing given that he lost his apprentice status three days later.
“A lot of people care about the five pounds, they always look to see how the apprentice does when they lose the bug, so that was a great moment,” Elliott said.
Elliott is hoping for another great moment this weekend at Del Mar when he rides the stone-cold closer Crazy Mason in the six-furlong Bing Crosby.
“He’s got a very intense stretch run, I’m excited. I think he’s going to perform really well over there,” Elliott said. “It’s a faster track, they’re going to go faster up front, it’ll set up good.”
Elliott is hoping the numbers he posted through the first half of the year – 82 wins from 605 mounts and $3.83 million in earnings – will hold up when it comes time for Eclipse Award voters to select the champion apprentice jockey of 2024.
“I feel like I did as much as I could,” Elliott said. “I was riding seven days a week. I’m going to continue to do that, ride as much as possible now. I gave it the best shot I could, I feel confident. I think I have a good chance, so we’ll see.”
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