Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan celebrates aboard Pyro after winning the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds race course in New Orleans on Saturday, March 8. - AP

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, CMC

Jamaican Shaun Bridgmohan emerged top rider in mounts' earnings although he had to settle for the jockeys' championship runner-up spot at the Fair Grounds winter meet.

When the season ended last weekend, Bridgmohan had 81 wins with mounts' earnings of US$3.20 million in his first ever season here.

Jamie Theriot secured the jockeys' title with 94 wins but he registered mounts' earnings of US$2.15 million. Six-time Fair Grounds leading rider Robby Albarado was third with 79 wins.

Barbadian Patrick Husbands, who joined the colony of riders mid-season, placed 18th in the jockeys' table with 14 wins and mounts' earnings of US$487,210.

Steve Asmussen, who was Bridgmohan's main provider of winners, became the first trainer in Fair Grounds history to average more than one win per day and the third trainer ever to win at least 80 races.

He finished with 86 wins, 37 more than runner-up Cody Autrey.

The outstanding colt Pyro, a huge Kentucky Derby hope for Asmussen and Bridgmohan, won the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes to be the only multiple graded stakes winner of the meet.

Pyro was a landslide choice of media and racing officials as Horse of the Meeting.