HOT SPRINGS -- Ruben Munoz has a nice problem on his hands.
As the agent for this season's top two Oaklawn Park jockeys, Munoz has to walk a fine line when discussing the efforts and abilities of Ricardo Santana Jr. and Ramon Vazquez.
"I try to be fair with them," Munoz said. "I try to split their mounts as best as I can, but there are times when Ricardo thinks I'm favoring Ramon and sometimes Ramon thinks I'm giving too much attention to Ricardo. ... I think they are jealous of each other, which I think is funny.
"I'm in a unique position. I always seem to be in the middle."
It's not an unwelcome situation. Munoz's two clients have combined for 195 victories during the past two Oaklawn Park seasons. With only 12 races left in this year's meet, only two victories separate the riders.
Santana has a meet-best 53 victories but has missed most of the past three days after being hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. Vazquez has ridden 51 winners, including six in the past two days. No other jockey has more than 30 victories this season.
Santana's status for today's final day of racing is uncertain, but he is named to ride in 10 of today's 12 races. Vazquez, who also has 10 mounts today, would need to two winners to tie for the title if Santana doesn't ride or is held winless.
Munoz said Santana and Vazquez are friends, but both want to win.
"Ramon has been riding longer, but they are very similar," Munoz said. "Both are very energetic, and both have a very competitive nature."
Both also have enjoyed their share of success away from Oaklawn.
Santana earned his first rider title in 2012 at Delaware Park. He won a second Oaklawn title last year, then Santana tied Corey Lanerie during the September meet at Churchill Downs and had two Breeders' Cup mounts.
Santana is a two-time defending riding champion at Hot Springs. He won 59 races at Oaklawn in 2014, including eight stakes races.
Santana, 22, seemed to be a lock for his third consecutive title entering this week's Racing Festival of the South, but he took ill after his first mount Wednesday and has not been able to ride since.
Vazquez, 30, has won back-to-back riding titles at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, and his 32 victories at Oaklawn in 2014 included the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes aboard Bourbonize.
Vazquez has earned a large portion of victories this season while riding horses trained by Federico Villafranco, who is third in the trainer standings.
"This has been a very competitive meet," Vazquez said. "I'm pleased there have been a lot of different trainers who have given me a chance to ride for them."
Santana, who has been the main rider for six-time training champion Steve Asmussen, said Oaklawn has been an enjoyable track for many reasons.
"I like the track because of the people," Santana said Thursday while recovering at St. Vincent's Hospital in Hot Springs. "They treat you well, and they are very enthusiastic about racing."
"Aside from the business part of horse racing, we get along fine," Vazquez said of Santana.
"They are both good losers," Munoz said. "But they are happier winners."
Munoz said he is honored to represent both riders, and he is obviously pleased to see both at the top of their game.
"It's very flattering for me to be associated with both of them," Munoz said. "The trainers have given them a lot of support, and I couldn't ask to be in a better position."
Sports on 04/11/2015