Jaime Torres usually rides between Kentucky tracks and Fair Grounds but a trip to Colonial Downs in Virginia on Old Dominion Derby Day last Saturday proved to be worthwhile with three mounts leading to three stakes wins including the Gr. 3 Old Dominion Derby. The panel of racing experts voted Torres Jockey of the Week for September 2-September 7.

The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the U.S.

Torres began his busy travel week on Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis posting a win in the seventh for trainer William Walden. He also rode at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Torres won the first of three stakes in a row with Doncho riding for trainer Michelle Lovell in the Da Hoss Stakes. Off at odds of 2-1 in the scratched-down field of six, Doncho broke alertly from post position one and never looked back making every pole a winning one despite losing a shoe. The 4-year-old posted a neck win over favorite Alogon with Paco Lopez in 1:01.62 for five and one-half furlongs. Doncho set the world record for 5-1/2 furlongs at Ellis Park on August 8.

“He surprised me the way he broke today,” said Torres to Colonial Downs publicity. “He was very, very quick. I think that’s the best he’s ever come out of the gates.”

Riding for trainer Jonathan Thomas, Torres was aboard As Catch Can in the Old Dominion Oaks. After a pre-race downpour, As Catch Can went to the post as a 16-1 longshot in the field of eight. Breaking from post position two, the west coast shipper settled into fifth along the rail 4-1/2 lengths behind the leader and race favorite Evershed with Daniel Centeno. As Catch Can began her rally on the far turn making the most of her ground-saving trip to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.28 for a mile and one-eighth on the inner turf.

“I think she really liked the turf today,” said Torres. “The plan was to keep her close to the lead. That way she doesn’t have too much to do at the end and we got the job done.”

Trainer Riley Mott gave a leg up to Torres aboard World Beater, who proved to be just that in the Old Dominion Derby (G3). Off as the race favorite, World Beater raced in mid-pack before his powerful stretch rally posting a 1-3/4-length win in 1:53.01 for a mile and one-eighth on the turf.

“He was rolling very good today,” said Torres. “He didn’t care about how wet it was. I’m very, very happy with him. He’s all talent.”

Torres, 26, rode at Kentucky Downs on Sunday and this week will travel between Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs for their fall meet which opens September 11.

Other contenders for Jockey of the Week were Tyler Gaffalione with a win in the Franklin-Simpson (GI), Harry Hernandez who won four stakes at Canterbury, Flavien Prat with a win in the Del Mar Futurity (GI) and Hall of Famer Mike Smith with a win in the Del Mar Debutante (GI).