Churchill Downs Update: Esquivel Gaining Ground in Deep Churchill Downs Jockey Colony

Nov 05, 2025

Manny Esquivel has been making the most of his time at Churchill Downs this fall with six wins from 34 mounts while serving as a key member of trainer Kenny McPeek’s team as regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. remains sidelined.

“It means a lot,” Esquivel said. “I’ve been working really hard and Kenny has given me great opportunities. I rode for him at Keeneland, Colonial and Oaklawn, and being part of his barn has been a big help.”

Esquivel, represented by Jose Santos Jr., has recorded 86 wins at seven different tracks so far in 2025. Santos has become one of the top agents in North America and currently represents a roster of seven jockeys: Joe Bravo (Gulfstream Park), Rene Diaz (Remington Park), Christopher Elliott (Aqueduct), Rey Gutierrez (Finger Lakes and Gulfstream Park), Julien Leparoux (Churchill Downs) and Freddy Manrrique (Remington Park).

“Jose works hard. I don’t see him often but he’s always working and getting me on good horses,” Esquivel said. “I’ve been riding all over and staying busy. I have to thank my wife because she takes care of everything at home with the kids so I can travel and focus. I couldn’t do it without her support.”

Esquivel is named on 11 mounts this week at Churchill Downs as he looks to continue his solid run at the Fall Meet.

“Who doesn’t want to ride here full time?” Esquivel said. “It’s every jockey’s goal. It’s a tough room with Irad (Ortiz Jr.), Jose (Ortiz), Tyler (Gaffalione) and Luis Saez. You need some luck and good support, and I feel like I have that. I’m just going to keep working and take advantage of every chance.”

DERBY CITY 6 JACKPOT RISES TO $129,381 FOR WEDNESDAY’S NINE-RACE CARD – The Derby City 6 Jackpot has gone unsolved for the first six days of the Fall Meet with Wednesday’s sequence boosting a carryover of $129,381.

The Derby City 6 Jackpot, which challenges bettors to have the only winning combination to take down the jackpot, has a 20-cent denomination with a low 15 percent takeout. If there are multiple winning combinations, 90 percent of the daily pool will be paid out with the remaining 10 percent going to the carryover.

Wednesday’s sequence: (with scratches as of 8:30 a.m. ET)

Race 4 (2:27 p.m.): MC 100000, 2yo f, 1 1/16 M (seven runners)
Race 5 (2:57 p.m.): MC 30000, 2yo, 6 F (seven runners)
Race 6 (3:26 p.m.): Clm 40000, 3yo and up F&M, 6 F (six runners)
Race 7 (3:55 p.m.): MC 100000, 2yo, 1 1/16 M (eight runners)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m.): OC 80000n2x, 3yo and up F&M, 7 F (six runners)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m.): MC 150000, 2yo, 6 F (11 runners)
Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated. Past performances and other handicapping tools are available at www.brisnet.com.

CHURCHILL DOWNS AT A GLANCE – The following are Churchill Downs averages, courtesy of Brisnet:

Avg. Win Odds: 4.89-1
Favorite Win: 39%
Favorite In-The-Money: 73%
Exacta: $78.04
Trifecta: $607.86
Superfecta: $5,529.39
Super Hi-5: $5,026.72
Double: $82.19
Pick 3: $607.44
Pick 4: $4,447.88
Pick 5: $39,710.39
Derby City 6 Jackpot: $42,694.51
DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who celebrated his 40th birthday Monday, said he had a doctor’s appointment Wednesday and, if all went well, could be named on horses starting Wednesday, Nov. 12. Hernandez has been sidelined since Sept. 21 when he sustained seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung and a lacerated liver when he fell from his mount. … Wednesday was Senior Day at Churchill Downs and guests 60 and older enjoyed a discounted lunch on Millionaires’ Row. … After recording five wins on Sunday’s card, Tyler Gaffalione was not named to ride Wednesday because of a one-day HISA whip suspension. He’s scheduled to ride eight races Thursday. … Churchill Downs’ all-time winningest horse Bango returns to action in Race 8 on Thursday, a six-furlong conditioned allowance. A winner of 12 races beneath the Twin Spires, Bango has been out of action since finishing eighth in the May 1 St. Matthews Overnight Stakes. … The second Fall Meet Condition Book is online and available at: www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaDownloadAction.cfm?sn=CB-CD-20251119-20251130D. … Sunday is Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola and veterans and active-duty military members can receive free admission or a discounted Millionaires’ Row ticket with a valid I.D. … For the latest information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.