“Acquired a minute to speak?”
“Name you again later right now.”
“Acquired a minute?
“Name you proper again.”
The interview with Michael Migliore, the agent for up-and-coming jockey Dylan Davis, lastly begins solely to cease. One other name he should take.
Davis might be among the many rising stars showcased when the Breeders’ Cup World Championships are held this coming weekend at Del Mar. The incessant ringing and beeping of Davis’ jockey agent’s telephone displays ever-increasing demand from a number of the world’s main trainers.
Davis may have two Breeders’ Cup mounts on Friday, Quickick within the NetJets Juvenile Fillies and Abientot within the John Deere Juvenile Fillies Turf, as he seeks his first Breeders’ Cup triumph so as to add to the appreciable floor he already has damaged thus far in his profession.
“It’s a dream simply to even journey in these races not to mention win one,” mentioned Davis, 29, the son of former New York jockey Robbie Davis.
In an indication of how far he has come, the native of Manhasset, N.Y., headed into the ultimate weekend earlier than the Breeders’ Cup with a commanding lead over runner-up Kendrick Carmouche, 33-25, within the jockey standings on the Belmont on the Massive A fall meet.
In different indicators of the progress Davis has made since his first full season in 2013:
- Davis captured his first driving title on the 2021-2022 Aqueduct winter meet and adopted that along with his 1,000th profession victory in Could, 2022 at Belmont Park.
- Davis secured his first Grade 1 victory in 2021 when he guided house Mutamakina within the 2021 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack. He added a second Grade 1 there final 12 months with Carson’s Run within the Summer time Stakes. Carson’s Run offered his first Grade 1 in america this previous summer season within the Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga.
- Davis loved a banner Saratoga meet in 2024. He stood toe to toe with a number of the world’s greatest jockeys and matched Tyler Gaffalione for third total with 36 victories for the 39-day stand, trailing solely Irad Ortiz Jr., who racked up 52 wins, and Flavien Prat, who had 45. Davis obliterated his earlier Saratoga excessive of 19 wins, set the 12 months earlier than.
“Yearly I’ve been attempting to construct myself as a rider and work along with my agent, Mike, to maintain pushing ahead to a greater 12 months,” Davis mentioned. “It’s paying off and there’s nonetheless extra to return. We simply maintain pushing ahead and attempt to go to the highest.”
Davis’s latest accomplishments replicate how a lot of driving is a thoughts recreation. Self-doubt could be extremely damaging.
In an interview earlier this 12 months, he informed Horse Racing Nation, “I assume the primary few years in New York may very well be intimidating since you are driving with one of the best riders within the nation. Whenever you’re not driving one of the best horses, you possibly can at all times second-guess or take the detrimental aspect of it. You might be simply not driving your greatest since you are interested by the opposite riders or making untimely strikes.”
The stage for afternoon success is about within the morning when jockeys go to barns to persuade homeowners and trainers they are often nice matches for fascinating mounts. Davis used to dread that a part of the sport.
“He was sort of shy about strolling right into a barn and speaking to individuals,” Migliore mentioned. “Now, he’s assured in himself.”
Davis is happy with his transformation. “Folks wish to see confidence,” he mentioned. “This summer season at Saratoga, a part of the rationale why I used to be so profitable was that I got here in with a powerful thoughts. Horses really feel that power. Horses really feel that they’ll do it and can do it.”
Quickick and Abientot have certainly picked up on his good vibe. Davis has been aboard for all three of Quickick’s begins for proprietor Gregory Tramontin and coach Tom Amoss. He hopes the younger filly can put all of it collectively after she lacked some focus when she completed second within the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes Oct. 4 at Keeneland.
“I actually like her possibilities if she will be able to ship effectively and get accustomed to the observe. She simply does every little thing effectively,” he mentioned. “I believe she goes in with probability.”
Davis additionally has been aboard for every of Abientot’s 5 begins for proprietor Tracy Farmer and coach Mark Casse. She comes off a valiant neck victory within the Grade 3 Matron Stakes on Oct. 6 at Belmont on the Massive A.
“She’s a eager contender,” the jockey mentioned. “If she provides me that final quarter-of-a-mile kick, she’s going to be very robust. She’s going to be proper there.”
Davis is about to make the third and fourth Breeders’ Cup begins of his younger profession. “Massive desires are profitable Breeders’ Cups, the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, all these greater races,” he mentioned. “However the principle aim is to journey in Grade 1 races commonly and be in that elite group of riders.”
For Davis, it seems to be only a matter of time.
