BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL–Journeyman Leonel Reyes, less than a decade after coming to the United States as an accomplished rider in his native Venezuela, is poised to reach another career milestone as he continues the quest for a second meet title at Gulfstream Park.
Reyes, 39, enters Friday’s 10-race program with 993 career wins in North America, ranking fourth in the current Sunshine Meet standings with 18 wins and $692,495 in purse earnings, respectively trailing Miguel Vasquez (26) and Edgard Zayas ($882,270).
His success is nothing new for the soft-spoken but quietly confident Reyes, a year-round presence at Gulfstream who was a two-time national champion in Venezuela and a nine-time meet titlist at National Racetrack Valencia before venturing to South Florida in 2016.
“I won a lot of races in Venezuela and it was a great experience,” Reyes said. “In my country it is different than riding here, but I am very grateful.”
Represented by agent Jose Sanchez, Reyes had more than 1,400 wins to his credit when he arrived at Gulfstream, where he made his U.S. debut Feb. 21, 2016. It was a month later, on March 24, when he picked up his first win aboard Virgen Morena.
What has followed has been career that has seen Reyes win 100 or more races every year since 2021, with a personal best 166 in 2022. With more than two months left in 2025, he has 96 wins from 736 mounts and earnings approaching $3.8 million.
Reyes has won four graded stakes in the U.S., all at Gulfstream. The first came with Gladiator King in the 2019 Hutcheson (G3), followed by Cool Arrow in the 2020 Smile Sprint (G3), Three Witches in the 2023 Princess Rooney (G3) and Little Vic in the Fred Hooper (G3) Jan. 24.
In 2023 Reyes won a career-high $5.99 million in purses and earned his only U.S. riding title, leading Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Meet standings with 93 wins, 18 more than runner-up Edwin Gonzalez, and a $2.89 million bankroll.
The previous year Reyes ranked second to Vasquez at the Royal Palm Meet while simultaneously competing at Colonial Downs in Virginia, a rare instance away from Florida where he finished as runner-up to Mid-Atlantic-based Jevian Toledo for the riding title.
“I have ridden in some other places, but Gulfstream is like my home,” Reyes said. “I love being here.”
Reyes has three two-win days during the Sunshine Meet—opening day Sept. 5, Sept. 26 and Sept. 28—and owns three stakes victories with Florida-bred Khozalite in the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed on Oct. 18, Florida-bred Willow Case in the $75,000 Hallandale Beach Sept. 26 and with Florida-bred Private Thoughts in the Jet Propulsion overnight handicap Oct. 4.
Overall Reyes has helped 11 different trainers at the meet reach the winner’s circle, including multiple trips for Jose D’Angelo (four), Ramon Minguet, Ron Spatz and Frank Regalbuto (two each). Others have come for Diane Morici, Ronald Coy, Rafael Romero, Lisa Lewis, Heather Smullen, Eddie Plesa Jr. and Fausto Gutierrez.
His winners have ranged from favorites like 3-year-old Dime Papi ($2.80) Oct. 3 to 2-year-old filly Make Your Wish ($65.80), giving Reyes an average win payoff of $12.87. He also has 14 seconds and 11 thirds, putting him in the money at a 41% clip.
“It has been a lot of hard work every day, every morning. The races are tough but we keep trying,” he said. “I am thankful to my agent and all the owners and trainers and everybody that gives me the support.”
Reyes has been able to enjoy his success with wife, Daniela, and daughters Leona (15), Donna (12) and Lea (4 ½) and plans to put in the work to make it continue long past 1,000 wins.
“I am grateful for the moment because this career is dangerous,” he said. “I keep trying every day, every week, every year and now we are close. I will be proud to get 1,000 wins.”
Return to the October 23 issue of Wire to Wire
