Roman closes jockeys’ title race with dead heat

Champion jockey Raddesh Roman yesterday booted home a three-timer, reminding leading rider Tevin Foster that the race for the 2026 title was far from over by closing the 10-race card with a thrilling dead-heat finish aboard 9-1 chance WALK THE PLANK, sharing the event with 8-1 shot GIVING THANKS.

Roman, who started the afternoon 12 winners behind Foster, won the opening event astride 3-1 shot UNRULY DON before losing a stretch duel aboard MARGARITA to RUNAWAY STAR, lodging an unsuccessful jockey’s objection against his rival, who appeared to have taken his ground.

Foster, who lost the 2024 jockeys’ title race by one winner to Roman, a thrilling battle in the last race of the year, survived the stewards’ inquiry and double jockeys’ objection, RUNAWAY STAR being his last trip to the winners’ enclosure for the afternoon.