Pick Pony Weekly Trainer & Jockey Spotlight — Week of April 20, 2026
Trainer Spotlight
The hottest barn in the country right now belongs to Brad H. Cox, who leads all trainers with 10 wins from 45 starts over the past 14 days, good for a sharp 22.2% win rate and 18 horses finishing in the money. Cox has long been one of the sport's elite conditioners, and this recent stretch is a reminder that when his stable catches fire, it burns hot. Right behind him in the efficiency department are two smaller-operation trainers quietly doing serious damage: Michael V. Pino and Mark W. Buehrer. Pino is the standout story of the fortnight, posting 7 wins from just 18 starts for a jaw-dropping 38.9% win rate, with 9 ITM finishes suggesting a tight, well-managed roster. Buehrer mirrors that profile with 6 wins from 16 starts (37.5%) and 8 ITM performances. When trainers are winning at nearly 40% with limited book sizes, that's not noise — that's a stable in peak form. Also worth noting is Kathleen O'Connell, who rang up 7 wins from 33 starts at a 21.2% clip, with 12 ITM finishes rounding out a productive two weeks.
Jockey Spotlight
In the irons, one name towers above the rest: Juan Pulido, who has been nothing short of otherworldly over the past 14 days. Pulido posted 14 wins from just 19 mounts — a staggering 73.7% win rate — with all 19 of those starts resulting in an ITM finish. Read that again: 19 for 19 in the money, 14 of them victories. That kind of consistency in a short sample demands immediate attention from any serious handicapper. Irad Ortiz, Jr. reaffirms his status as one of the best riders in the game, leading all jockeys outright with 16 wins and a 51.6% win rate from 31 starts, adding 31 ITM finishes to a resume that keeps getting more impressive. Meanwhile, Mychel J. Sanchez deserves a strong mention with 12 wins from 22 starts (54.5%) and a perfect ITM conversion — all 22 mounts finished in the top three. Sanchez is riding with the kind of confidence that should make bettors take notice whenever his name appears on a program.
This Week’s Watch List
Three combinations and individuals stand out as must-follows heading into the week. First, any Brad H. Cox / Irad Ortiz, Jr. pairing should be circled immediately — combining the leading trainer by wins with the leading jockey by wins creates a formidable top-of-card threat. Second, keep a close eye on Juan Pulido regardless of connections; a 73.7% win rate with a 100% ITM rate over 19 starts is the kind of momentum you ride until the wheels fall off. Finally, Michael V. Pino horses at nearly 39% winners deserve serious attention at the windows, particularly if he saddles runners at any price — the value could be significant if the market hasn't fully caught up to his recent form. These names are your compass this week on Pick Pony.
