Beschizza living an American dream as he makes the top five at Fair Grounds

Adam Beschizza is hoping 2018 will continue as 2017 ended as he begins the year at Fair Grounds, New Orleans, sitting in fifth place in the jockeys' standings.

After arriving from Britain in November, Beschizza rode three winners from his first ten rides and has maintained the strike-rate to end the year with 17 from 76 mounts, the majority for rising trainer Joe Sharp.

The jockey, who has finished in the first three on more than half his rides, partnered three seconds on New Year's Day and is nine winners behind the leading rider Miguel Mena for the meeting, which runs into March.

Beschizza, best known in Britain for completing the Autumn Double by riding the winners of the Cambridgeshire (Third Time Lucky) and Cesarewitch (Grumeti) in 2015, gave up another winter on the all-weather to try his luck on the US circuit, teaming up with Sharp, whom he has known for a number of years.

Beschizza (near side) takes the 2015 Cambridgeshire on Third Time LuckyCredit: Mark Cranham

"I never imagined it would have gone as well as it has, with Joe helping me out as much as he has," said Beschizza on Tuesday. "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have hit the ground running.

"That first handful of winners when I got here has helped. I can't believe how many of my rides have not even finished outside the first four, which shows the calibre of horses I'm riding. The majority are for Joe, who does exceptionally well at Fair Grounds."

Beshizza rode 38 winners in Britain last year but admits he is now getting more rides at Fair Grounds than he would have managed had he stayed at home.

He said: "I probably averaged three a day during the summer but on the all-weather I couldn't be guaranteed to ride every day of the week. The difference is tenfold.

"It's -3C here today but I'm not missing the winter in England or the hustle and bustle of two all-weather meetings. You have to challenge yourself and I'm happy with the way it's going."

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