Year of the Jockey

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Breeders’ Cup Wins
Distaff (GI)—Jewel Princess (WO-1996)
Juvenile Fillies (GI)—Sweet Catomine (LS-2004)
Mile (GI)—Silic (GP-1999)
Sprint (GI)—Lit de Justice (1996-WO); Elmhurst (1997-HP); Reraise
(1998-CD); Thor’s Echo (2006-CD)

Santa Anita Stakes Wins
Ack Ack H.—Lethal Instrument (2000)
American Beauty—Shining Energy (2006)
Ancient Title BC (GI-OT)—Elmhurst (GIII-1997)
Anoakia (OT)—Canta’s Crusade (1995); Wind Flow (2003)
Baldwin (GIII)—Sandtrap (1996); Skip to the Stone (2001)
Buena Vista H. (GII)—Media Nox (1997); Tuzla (1999)
California Breeders’ Champion (Fillies)—Always the Lady (2000)
California Cup Distaff Starter H. (OT)—Melrose Wine (1994)
California Cup Distance H. (OT)—Imagine (2007)
California Cup Classic H. (OT)—Charmonnier (1991); Megan's Interco (1996)
California Cup Distaff H. (OT)—Miss L Attack (1993); Bountiful Dreamer (1998)
California Cup Juvenile (OT)—Boating Pleasure (1992); Brite Maneuvers (2005)
California Cup Juvenile Fillies (OT)—Career Collection (1997)
California Cup Matron H. (OT)—Belle's Flag (1996, 1998)
California Cup Mile H. (OT)—Indiahoma (1998); Drake’s Victory (2005);
Epic Power (2006)
California Cup Sprint H. (OT)—Red (1997)
Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (GI-OT)—Sandpit (1994); Military (1999); Fourty Niners Son (2005)
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (GI)—Atticus (GII-1997)
Goodwood BC H. (GII-OT)—Lava Man (2006)
Hidden Lake (OT)—Gotdream (2002)
Irish O’Brien—Above Perfection (2002)
Jack Goodman (OT)—Wise Mandate (2007)
La Cañada (GII)—Dianes Halo (1995); Belle’s Flag (1997); Scholars Studio (2000)
Lady’s Secret BC H. (GII-OT)—Manistique (1999)
Las Flores H. (GIII)—Above Perfection (2002); Spring Meadow (2003)
Las Palmas H. (GII-OT)—Sharp Cat (1997); Beautyandthebeast (2006)
Las Virgenes (GI)—Sharp Cat (1997); Sharp Lisa (2005)
Monrovia H. (GIII)—Mamselle Bebette (1994); Desert Lady (1999)
Morvich H. (GIII-OT)—Reality Road (1997)
Norfolk (GII-OT)—Roman Ruler (2004)
Oak Leaf BC (GI-OT)—Serena's Song (1994); Sweet Catomine (GII-2004); Cash Included (2006)
Oak Tree BC Mile (GII-OT)—Silic (GIII-1999); Aragorn (2006)
Pro or Con H.—Shalini (2003)
Robert B. Lewis (GII)—Great Hunter (2007)
San Felipe (GII)—Odyle (1996); A. P. Warrior (2006)
San Fernando BC (GII)—Pass Rush (2003)
San Gorgonio H. (GII)—Sixieme Sens (1997)
San Luis Rey H. (GII)—Sandpit (GI-1995)
San Marcos (GII)—Sandpit (1997)
San Miguel—Lasersport (GIII-2001)
San Rafael (GII)—Orville N Wilbur’s (1998); Desert Hero (1999); Notional (2007)
Santa Ana H. (GII)—Wandesta (GI-1995)
Santa Anita H. (GI)—General Challenge (2000); Lava Man (2006, 2007)
Santa Anita Oaks (GI)—Lite Light (1991); Serena's Song (1995); Sharp Cat (1997); Sweet Catomine (2005)
Santa Barbara H. (GII)—Wandesta (GI-1995); Caffe Latte (2000); Sharp Lisa (2006)
Santa Margarita H. (GI)—Southern Truce (1993); Queens Court Queen (1995); Jewel Princess (1997); Riboletta    (2000)
Santa Maria H. (GI)—Supah Gem (1994); Queens Court Queen (1995); Jewel Princess (1997); Manistique (2000)
Santa Monica H. (GI)—Honest Lady (2000)
Santa Ynez (GII)—Jump On In (2007)
San Vicente (GII)—Afleetaffair (GIII-1996); Noble Court (2007)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Belleski (2004)
Sir Beaufort (GIII)—Buckland Manor (2004); Tedo (2005-2nd div.)
Strub (GII)—Siberian Summer (GI-1993); Event Of The Year (1999);
General Challenge (2000); Wooden Phone (2001)
Sunshine Millions Classic—Lava Man (2006)
Sunshine Millions Turf—Lava Man (2007)
Tokyo City Cup H. (GIII)—Dynever (2004); Anshan (GII-1991)
Yellow Ribbon (GI-OT)—Possibly Perfect (1993)

Other Major Stakes Wins
Affirmed H. (GIII-Hol)—Deputy Commander (1997)
Alysheba (GIII-CD)—Wandering Boy (2007)
Bayakoa H. (GII-Hol)—Manistique (2000)
Beldame (GI-Bel)—Sharp Cat (1998)
Best Pal (GII-Dmr)—Flame Thrower (GIII-2000)
Beverly D (GI-AP)—Possibly Perfect (1995); England’s Legend (2001)
Beverly Hills H. (GII-Hol)—Voodoo Dancer (2003)
Bing Crosby H. (GI-Dmr)—Christmas Boy (GII-1999); In Summation (2007)
Caesars International (Atl)—Sandpit (1995, 1996)
California Juvenile (Hol)—Zillah the Hun (2000)
Canadian H. (WO)—Calista (2002)
Carry Back (GII-CRC)—Caller One (2000)
Champagne (GI-Bel)—The Groom Is Red (1998)
Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (GI-Hol)—Sandpit (1996); Lava Man (2006)
Chula Vista H. (GII-Dmr)—Sharp Cat (1998)
Cinema BC H. (GIII-Hol)—Worldly Ways (1997)
Citation (GI-Hol)—Leger Cat (GII-1992); Southern Wish (GII-1994)
Coaching Club American Oaks (GI-Bel)—Lite Light (1991)
Commonwealth BC (GII-Kee)—Sun King (2006); Silent Name (2007)
Count Fleet H. (GIII-OP)—Reraise (1999)
CTBA (Dmr)—Treadmill (2007)
CTT & TOC H. (Dmr)—Imagine (2007)
Dahlia H. (GII-Hol)—Re Toss (1991); Sixieme Sens (1996); Tuzla (1998)
Del Mar BC Mile (GII-Dmr)—Aragorn (2006)
Del Mar Derby (GII-Dmr)—Rainbow Blues (1996); Val Royal (1999); Inesperado (2002); Blackdoun (2004)
Del Mar Futurity (GII-Dmr)—Winning Pact (1993)
Del Mar Oaks (GI-Dmr)—Sicy D’Alsace (1998); Dessert (2003); Rutherienne (2007)
Derby Trial (CD)—Patience Game (1999)
Diana H. (GI-Sar)—Voodoo Dancer (2003)
Eddie Read H. (GI-Dmr)—Approach The Bench (1994); Fastness (1996); Sarafan (2002); Aragorn (2006)
El Cajon (GIII-Dmr)—Perfect Moon (2004); Cindago (2006)
Fair Grounds Oaks (GII-FG)—Mistical Plan (2007)
Fantasy (GII-OP)—Lite Light (1991)
First Lady (GII-Kee)—Vacare (2007)
Flower Bowl Invitational (GI-Bel)—Yashmak (1997)
Frank DeFrancis Memorial Dash (GI-Lrl)—Thor’s Echo (2006)
Fran’s Valentine (Hol)—Shalini (2003)
Frizette (GI-Bel)—Balletto (2004)
Garden City BC H. (GI-Bel)—Pharatta (GII-1998); Voodoo Dancer (2001)
Gardenia H. (GIII-ElP)—Dream of Summer (2005)
Generous (GIII-Hol)—Contested Bid (1991); Dubleo (2004); Warning Zone
(2006-1st div.)
Golden Gate H. (GIII-GG)—Dushyantor (1998)
Hawthorne H. (GII-Hol)—Borodislew (1996)
Hollywood Derby (GI-Hol)—Itsallgreektome (1990); Explosive Bid (1993)
Hollywood Gold Cup (GI-Hol)—Lava Man (2006, 2007)
Hollywood Oaks (GII-Hol)—Sleep Easy (GI-1995)
Hollywood Starlet (GI-Hol)—Creaking Board (1992); Serena's Song (1994); Cara Rafaela (1995); Sharp Cat (1996)
Hollywood Turf Cup H. (GI-Hol)—Itsallgreektome (1990); Lazy Lode (1998)
Hollywood Turf Express H. (GIII-Hol)—Gundaghia (ng-1991-1st div.); El Cielo (2000)
Inglewood H. (GIII-Hol)—Gothland (1994); Fastness (1996); El Angelo (1997); Fantastic Fellow (1998)
Jenny Wiley (GII-Kee)—Astra (GIII-2000)
Jim Beam (GII-TP)—Serena's Song (1995)
John C. Mabee H. (GI-Dmr)—Possibly Perfect (1995); Matiara (1996); See You Soon (1998); Dancing Edie (2006)
Khaled—Lava Man (2006); Epic Power (2007)
Kentucky Cup Sprint (GIII-TP)—Reraise (GII-1998)
Kentucky Oaks (GI-CD)—Lite Light (1991); Pike Place Dancer (1996)
La Jolla H. (GII-Dmr)—Marine (2001)
Landaluce (Hol)—Notable Career (GIII-2000)
Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial (GII-Hol)—Caller One (GIII-2000)
Los Angeles H. (GIII-Hol)—Caller One (2001); Forest Grove (2005)
Louisiana Derby (GIII-FG)—Heaven Again (1990)
Manhattan H. (GI-Bel)—Manndar (2000); Forbidden Apple (2001)
Matchmaker (GIII-Mth)—Where We Left Off (2004)
Matriarch (GI-Hol)—Countus In (1990); Wandesta (1996)
Melair (Hol)—Yearly Report (2004)
Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (GII-FG)—Sarafan (2002)
Mervyn LeRoy H. (GII-Hol)—Tossofthecoin (1995)
Miesque (GIII-Hol)—Tricky Code (ng-1993); Forty On Line (2001); Paddy’s Daisy (2004)
Milady BC H. (GII-Hol)—Andujar (2005)
Molson Export Million (WO)—Dramatic Gold (1994)
Native Diver H. (GIII-Hol)—General Challenge (2000); Momentum (2001)
New York H. (GII-Bel)—England’s Legend (2001)
Oceanside (Dmr)—Sweet Return (2003-1st div.); Blackdoun (2004-2nd div.)
Pacific Classic (GI-Dmr)—Lava Man (2006)
Palomar H. (GIII-Dmr)—Tuzla (1998)
Pat O’Brien BC H. (GII-Dmr)—Bruho (ng-1991); D’Hallevant (GIII-1994); Lit de Justice (GIII-1995); Love That Red (2000)
Pepper Oaks Farm—Brand Name (2004)
Prioress (GI-Bel)—Friendly Michelle (2004)
Railbird (GIII-Hol)—Abby Girl (2000)
Rancho Bernardo H. (GIII-Dmr)—Secret Liaison (2003)
Redondo Beach (Hol)—
Singalong (2006)
Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. (Hol)—Comininalittlehot (1996); Swept Overboard (2001)
Royal Heroine (Hol)—Magic Mission (2003)
Ruffian H. (GI-Bel)—Sharp Cat (1998)
Sen. Ken Maddy H. (GIII-OT)—Dancing Edie (2007)
Senorita (GIII-Hol)—Top Shape (1995)
Shoemaker BC Mile (GI-Hol)—Itsallgreektome (1990); Fastness (1996); Silic (1999, 2000); Aragorn (2006)
Spiral (GII-TP)—Serena’s Song 1995
Sunland Park Oaks (Sun)—Cee’s Irish (2005)
Sunset H. (GII-Hol)—Black Monday (1991); Sandpit (1995)
Super Derby (GII-LaD)—Arch (GI-1998)
Swale (GIII-GP)—D’Wildcat (2001)
Swaps (GII-Hol)—Captain Steve (GI-2000); Rock Hard Ten (2004)
Tiznow (Hol)—Unfurl the Flag (2005)
Triple Bend BC H. (GI-Hol)—Unfurl the Flag (2005)
Turfway BC (GIII-TP)—Biding Time (GII-1998)
Vanity H. (GI-Hol)—Jewel Princess (1996)
Vernon O. Underwood (GIII-Hol)—Tower Full (1997)
WinStar Derby (Sun)—Thor’s Echo (2005)
Warren’s Thoroughbred—The Yellow Sheet (2004); Wendy’s On to Me (2005)
Wickerr H. (Dmr)—Becrux (2006)
Will Rogers (GIII-Hol)—Itsallgreektome (1990)
Wilshire H. (GIII-Hol)—Pharma (GII-1996)
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI-CD)—Romarin (GII-1995); Manndar (2000)
Yerba Buena BC H. (GIII-BM)—Chiming (2003)

Highlights

• First win: Oct. 2, 1988, at Caliente aboard Blue King in a dead heat.
• Riding titles: Oak Tree: 1994, 1995, 2004, 2006; Santa Anita: 1996, 2000; Hollywood Park: 1995; Del Mar: 1994, 1998, 2004.
• 3,000th winner: Shakin N Dancin, May 29, 2006 at Hollywood Park.
• 2,000th winner: Royal Shyness, June 18, 1999 at Hollywood Park.
• Among world’s Top Ten jockeys in Breeders’ Cup victories with seven after winning the Sprint for a fourth time in 2006 aboard Thor’s Echo by four lengths at odds of 15-1 with what trainer Doug O’Neill described as “a marvelous ride.” Ranked sixth nationally with earnings of over $12.4 million following 2006 Breeders’ Cup.
• His win total in million-dollar races reached 13 in 2006 as he added four, three aboard Lava Man. Teamed with Lava Man through a remarkable seven-race winning streak that finally terminated when seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The former claimer began the year with million-dollar wins in the Sunshine Millions Classic and Santa Anita Handicap, the jockey’s second Big ’Cap victory. Lava Man and the rider swept the West Coast’s three major races for older horses when adding the Hollywood Gold Cup and Del Mar’s Pacific Classic, the third million-dollar win. The steak reached seven with a 2 1/4-length victory in Oak Tree’s Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap as Nakatani won his fourth Oak Tree riding title.
• Continued association with Lava Man in 2007 brought record-tying repeats in the Santa Anita Handicap (joining John Henry and Milwaukee Brew with two victories) and Hollywood Gold Cup (joining Native Diver with three wins). Also teamed with Lava Man to win the Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita before the California-bred gelding faded to sixth in the Pacific Classic to curtail his chance of repeating in all three of the major California racetracks’ signature events.
• Gained his first riding titles in four years in 2004 when taking the Oak Tree and Del Mar championships as Sweet Catomine won the 2-year-old filly crown to become the seventh champion he had ridden regularly. The list includes Itsallgreektome, Jewel Princess, Lit de Justice, Possibly Perfect, Reraise and Wandesta.
• Second Big ’Cap victory in 2006 followed 2000 win aboard General Challenge. His four Grade I wins at 1999-2000 Santa Anita meet were among 82 victories that placed him atop the jockeys’ standings.
• When riding Silic to upset victory in 1999 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Gulfstream Park, it was the fourth consecutive year he had scored at least one victory in the Breeders’ Cup races. Gained his sixth Breeders’ Cup triumph atop Sweet Catomine in 2004 Juvenile Fillies at Lone Star Park during a year in which he ranked seventh nationally with earnings of $12.4 million.
• Registered his third straight win in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 1998 when taking Reraise to a front-running victory after Craig Dollase-trainee had been supplemented to the race for $120,000. Had rallied from last for two previous wins in the event, both for Evergreen Farm and trainer Jenine Sahadi: Lit de Justice in 1996 and Elmhurst in 1997.
• In addition to Lit de Justice in the 1996 Sprint, scored with Jewel Princess in the Distaff, a victory he dedicated to his sister, Dawn, who had been a murder victim the previous month.
• Came within a neck of winning the Turf with his first Breeders’ Cup mount, longshot Itsallgreektome, in 1990 at Belmont Park. Itsallgreektome would become champion turf horse following wins in the Hollywood Derby and Hollywood Turf Cup.
• Regular rider of Sharp Cat in 1998, winning four consecutive stakes including GI Beldame and Ruffian handicaps at Belmont. She missed the Breeders’ Cup after “tying up” the week before the race.
• Banner year in 1995 when ranked second nationally with earnings of $14.7 million and tied Gary Stevens for most stakes victories at 52.
• Equaled Laffit Pincay Jr.’s record of 19 stakes wins during 1996-97 Santa Anita meet.
• Rode Richard Mandella-trained Atticus to victory in 1997 Arcadia Handicap in 1:31.89, at that time the fastest turf mile in history.
• Won fourth Strub Stakes in 2001 aboard Wooden Phone, who upset odds-on favorite Tiznow.
• Won five races at Santa Anita on Feb. 17, 1996.
• Scored one of the most memorable wins in Cal Cup history in 1991 when taking the $250,000 Wells Fargo California Cup Classic aboard Charmonnier to upset heavily favored Best Pal.
• Leading apprentice rider in Southern California in 1989. Led Hollywood Park apprentices with 24 wins (ninth overall) and Del Mar with 19 wins (eighth), before tying for first at Oak Tree with 16 wins (eighth overall). Led all apprentices that year in earnings with $2.5 million.

Personal

• Outstanding wrestler at Northview High School in Covina.
• Introduced to the sport at age 16 by his father, the late Roy Nakatani, a Japanese- American who was born in a World War II internment camp in Colorado. The elder Nakatani spent time at Santa Anita when it was a relocation camp during the war.
• Worked at Thoroughbred farm of jockey agent Tony Matos. Broke and galloped horses for the late Johnny Longden.
• Attended the jockey school in Castaic.
• Began riding at Caliente in fall of 1988. Moved to Southern California circuit at the end of Santa Anita meet in April, 1989.
• Sister, Dawn, died of asphyxiation in an apparent homicide on the grounds of her apartment building in October 1996.
• Considered top golfer among the nation’s jockeys, he took a week off in July 1998 to compete in the $500,000 Isuzu Celebrity Championship in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Finished 22nd overall, best of 14 new players in the tournament.