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Jockey Profiles
Leading Jockeys
YEAR JOCKEY WIN
2016-2017 Daniel Centeno 102
2015-2016 Antonio Gallardo 135
2014-2015 Antonio Gallardo 147*
2013-2014 Antonio Gallardo 124
2012-2013 Daniel Centeno 90
YEAR JOCKEY WIN
1999-2000 T.D. Houghton 80 1998-1999 T.D. Houghton 81 1997-1998 Jesse Garcia 63
1996-1997 William Henry 78 1995-1996 Jorge Guerra 97 1994-1995 William Henry 95 1993-1994 William Henry 97 1992-1993 William Henry 123 1991-1992 Willie Martinez 123
1990-1991 Ricardo Lopez 106 1989-1990 Ricardo Lopez 92 1988-1989 Ricardo Lopez 114 1987-1988 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 102
1986-1987 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 76
1985-1986 Richard DePass 61
1984-1985 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 54
1983-1984 Rick Luhr 62
1982-1983 Heriberto Rivera, Jr. 70
1981-1982 Heriberto Rivera, Jr. 74
1980-1981 Benny Feliciano 67
2011-2012 Leandro Goncalves 88
2010-2011 Ronnie Allen, Jr. 109
2009-2010 Daniel Centeno 133
2008-2009 Daniel Centeno 138
2007-2008 Daniel Centeno 144
2006-2007 Daniel Centeno 125
2005-2006 Jose Lezcano 92
2004-2005 Jesus Castanon 101
2003-2004 Jesus Castanon 87
2002-2003 Joe Judice 117
2001-2002 Manoel Cruz 91
2000-2001 Derek Bell 93
Jockey Profiles
Ronnie Allen, Jr.
Born: April 24, 1964 | Birthplace: East Liverpool, OH | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: H.’s Shady Lady, Detroit Race Course, 1983 | Started Riding: 1983, Detroit Race Course Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs, Thistledown
Allen was sidelined indefinitely on Oct. 19 when his mount fell following a race at Presque Isle Downs in Erie. Pa., resulting in a collapsed lung and fractured ribs. Nearing 3,900 career victories prior to the accident, Allen continued to compete successfully last season against the track’s youthful brigade of riders. He tied for fifth in the Oldsmar standings with 42 winners, including a victory on March 28 in the Florida Cup Equistaff Sophomore Turf Stakes on Indy Lyon, a gelding trained by his fiancée, Maria Bowersock. That victory was the first career stakes triumph for Bowersock. Allen, who is nicknamed “Rock and Roll,” rose to prominence at Tampa Bay Downs in the 1980s, winning jockey titles in three of four seasons while setting a (then)-track record of 102 winners in 1987-1988. Away from Tampa Bay Downs, his services were also in demand, and he rode Sport Jet in the 1985 Preakness. In 1993, he won both the Tampa Bay Derby and Sam F. Davis Stakes for 3-year-olds on Marco Bay. It was especially rewarding when Allen won his fourth Oldsmar riding title in 2010-2011 at age 47 with 109 winners. Allen achieved a career milestone in 2013 at Presque Isle Downs, posting victory No. 3,000 on Ghost Flower, a 3-year-old filly trained by Bowersock. His brother Mike is also a jockey, and their father, Ronnie Allen, Sr., saddled almost 1,500 winners during a 40-year career.
Jockey Profiles
Roberto Alvarado, Jr.
Born: November 14, 1973 | Birthplace: Cayey, Puerto Rico | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Flamenco Queen, El Comandante, 1992 | Started Riding: 1992, El Comandante Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park
Alvarado has had fond memories of Tampa Bay Downs since winning the 2012 Inaugural Stakes on Purple Egg for trainer Jane Cibelli, so he was excited about moving his tack here last season. His decision paid off handsomely, as he rode 25 winners to finish 13th in the standings. Making the experience even more pleasurable were victories on Miss Auramet in the Lightning City Stakes for trainer Edward Plesa, Jr., and aboard Shivaree in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for trainer Ralph Nicks. Entering the 2021-2022 Oldsmar meeting, Alvarado has set a long-term goal of winning 3,000 races (he began the season at 2,781). Alvarado won the Philadelphia Park jockeys title in 1998, a season in which he won 221 races. Two years later, he won a career-best 248. He rode at least 100 winners every year from 1997-2009. Alvarado considers his best mount to be the mare Magical Feeling, who won the Grade II Barbara Fritchie Handicap under his guidance in 2012 at Laurel Park at odds of 27-1. That spring, he rode the Allen Iwinski trainee to a third-place finish in the Grade I Humana Distaff Stakes at Churchill Downs. Other graded-stakes victories for Alvarado came on Leave It to Beezer in the Grade III Salvator Mile in 2000; Emergency Status in the Grade III Jersey Derby in 2002; and Gulch Approval in the Grade III Appleton Handicap in 2006. Alvarado – who is married and has five children and two grandchildren – is a big fan of the Tampa Bay area and enjoys jogging and fishing away from the racetrack.
Jockey Profiles
Jose Batista
Born: February 6, 1997 | Birthplace: Chepo, Panama | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Mejorana, Hipodromo Presidente Remon, Panama, 2014 | Started Riding: 2014, Hipodromo Presidente Remon, Panama Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand Race Course, Gulfstream Park
Batista exploded onto the Oldsmar scene last season, riding 31 winners to tie for eighth place in the standings. He kept his momentum going at Indiana Grand Race Course, posting 25 victories to finish in the top 15. Batista is a graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Technical Jockey Training Academy in Panama, where he began his career. He started thinking about becoming a jockey when he was 13 and an uncle took him to the Presidente Remon Racetrack, which was about a 4-hour drive from their town. Batista was captivated by the Thoroughbreds and the sport and set his sights on becoming part of it. He was victorious in the first race he ever rode, in 2014 at Hipodromo Presidente Remon aboard Mejorana. Batista began his stateside career in 2017 at Gulfstream Park. In 2018, he won the Grade II Hardacre Mile Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Conquest Big E. Batista considers Irad Ortiz, Jr., considered by many to be the best in the sport, as a role model. “I like the way he rides and his personality,” Batista said through an interpreter. “He treats everybody with respect.”
Jockey Profiles
Samy Camacho
Born: May 27, 1988 | Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela | Residence: Miami, FL First Win: Calder Race Course, 2012 | Started Riding: La Rinconada, Caracas | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park
On May 2, Camacho rode four winners to sew up his second Tampa Bay Downs jockeys title in three seasons. He finished the meeting with 111 winners, including four stakes triumphs. One of those came in January in the Pasco Stakes aboard 3-year-old Nova Rags, trained by Hall of Fame member Bill Mott. Camacho also won the Inaugural Stakes on Poppy’s Pride; the Pelican on Zenden; and the Turf Dash on The Critical Way. Camacho’s profile skyrocketed in March of 2020 when he piloted 49-1 shot King Guillermo to victory in the Grade II Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. It was his second graded-stakes victory of the meeting, following his triumph on Admiralty Pier in the Grade III Tampa Bay Stakes. Camacho finished fifth in the Gulfstream Park spring-summer meeting standings in 2021 with 57 victories. On Jan. 26 of 2019, Camacho rode five winners at Tampa Bay Downs for the second time. Camacho hails from a race-riding family. His father, Samuel Camacho, Sr., rode his entire career in Venezuela, scoring more than 900 victories. Younger brother Samuel Camacho, Jr., is also a jockey. Camacho has won the $5,000 Jockeys’ Challenge during the Summer Festival of Racing three times: in 2016, 2017 and 2021.
Jockey Profiles
Jesus Castanon
Born: March 4, 1973 | Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico | Residence: Shepherdsville, Ky. First Win: She Is the World, Agua Caliente, 1989 | Started Riding: Agua Caliente Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand
Castanon tied for the 10th spot last season with 29 victories. He found time in January to travel to Sam Houston in Texas for the Grade III Houston Ladies Classic, which he won on the brilliant 5-year-old mare Letruska. With more than 2,600 career victories, the soft-spoken Castanon is a go-to rider for numerous trainers. He reached a career milestone in 2019 at Tampa Bay Downs, scoring victory No. 2,500 on Tearless for trainer Derek Ryan. Two months later, Castanon rode Higgins to victory for trainer David Flores, the first career conditioning victory for the former riding great. Castanon and Flores have been friends for close to 40 years. A two-time Oldsmar riding champion, Castanon is best-known for his masterful winning ride on the Dale Romans-trained Shackleford in the 2011 Preakness. The victory came about six months after his father, Jesus Castanon, Sr., succumbed to kidney disease. The elder Castanon, a former trainer, had given the green light to Jesus and his brothers, retired jockeys Antonio and Jose, to ride races. Castanon also rode Shackleford to victories in the Grade I Clark Handicap and the Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes. Castanon is married to retired jockey Rolanda Simpson.mare Miss Dora. Castanon rode her in her first two victories, both at Indiana Grand. .
Jockey Profiles
Isaac Castillo
Born: April 10, 1998 | Birthplace: Darien, Panama | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Boca King, Hipodromo Presidente Remon, Panama, 2014 | Started Riding: 2014, Panama Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, Meadowlands, Gulfstream Park
Castillo lived close to the racetrack growing up in Darien, Panama and was a fan of jockey Eddie Castro, who would go on to win more than 2,500 races in the United States. So although no one in his family was involved with the horses, it was no surprise when Castillo enrolled in the Laffit Pincay Jr. Technical Jockey Training Academy when he was 14. Castillo’s desire was stoked further when the legendary Pincay visited and encouraged the students by emphasizing the dedication and sacrifices required to climb the mountain. Castillo, whose wife Natia is an exercise rider for trainer Kathleen O’Connell, burst into the top ranks of Oldsmar jockeys last season by riding 42 winners, good for a fifth-place tie in the standings. He followed that up by winning 55 races at Monmouth Park to finish second, behind Paco Lopez. Castillo rode in a pair of Grade I stakes at Monmouth on July 17 – the TVG.com Haskell and the United Nations – showing trainers are eager to connect with the promising youngster. In September, Castillo won the Nownownow Stakes at Monmouth aboard Dakota Gold, who went on to finish fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar under Luis Saez as the post-time favorite. Another stakes score for Castillo came in August at Monmouth on Belgrano in the Rainbow Heir Stakes. Castillo began riding in the United States in 2016 at Gulfstream Park and earned his first U.S. victory in 2017 at Monmouth.
Jockey Profiles
Daniel Centeno
Born: December 18, 1971 | Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Big Jack, Venezuela, 1990 | Started Riding: 1990 (Venezuela), 2003 (Ohio) Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park
In July, Centeno scored the 10th graded-stakes victory of his career, winning the Grade II Delaware Handicap on Miss Marissa. His previous 2021 graded-stakes score came in March at Tampa Bay Downs on Last Judgment in the Grade III Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes. From a personal standpoint, both of those victories might take a backseat to career victory No. 3,000 at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 2, 2021 on Lucy’s Town, with his daughter Jazmyn and girlfriend Brooke Sillaman in attendance. Centeno enjoyed another strong Oldsmar season in 2020-2021, riding 65 winners to finish third in the standings. Included were stakes victories on Last Judgment; Foreman in the Florida Cup Ocala Breeders’ Sales Stakes; Me and Mr. C in the Grey Goose Turf Classic; and The Goddess Lyssa in the Minaret. Centeno achieved a goal of most jockeys by earning a mount in the second leg of the 2019 Triple Crown, the Preakness at Pimlico, on Alwaysmining, a horse who won five consecutive stakes under his guidance. By earning his sixth Tampa Bay Downs title in 2016-2017 with 102 winners, Centeno tied Mike Manganello for the most riding titles in track history. In 2014, Centeno won the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby for the second time, aboard Ring Weekend for trainer H. Graham Motion. He had won the race in 2009 on Musket Man. From 2006-2010, Centeno strung together four consecutive Oldsmar riding crowns while averaging 1.48 winners per performance during that span. He booted home a record-setting 144 winners (since bettered) in 2007-2008, including six stakes victories.
Jockey Profiles
Fernando De La Cruz
Born: June 24,1986 | Birthplace: Huancavelica, Peru | Residence: Greenfield, IN First Win: Santelmo, Hipodromo de Monterrico, Peru | Started Riding: 2006, Peru Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Indiana Grand
The well-liked rider returns to Oldsmar after spending the last four winters at Oaklawn Park. A top jockey each spring and summer at Indiana Grand, De La Cruz has ridden 257 winners there over the last three seasons. He won Indiana Grand riding titles in 2014 and 2016. De La Cruz notched career victory No. 2,000 there in 2020 aboard Katie’s Day for owners Ike and Dawn Thrash and trainer Brad Cox. He achieved another milestone in 2017, capturing the Grade II Woodford Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select at Keeneland aboard 26-1 shot Bucchero for his first graded-stakes triumph. It earned them a trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, where they finished fourth in the Turf Sprint. Bucchero and De La Cruz again won the Woodford Stakes in 2018. No one in the riding De La Cruz family will forget the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2014 at Tampa Bay Downs. After watching his brothers, Juan and Walter, win races earlier on the card, Fernando completed the unique trifecta on 5-year-old gelding Rocky Gap. It is believed to be the only occasion in Thoroughbred history when three brothers have won races on a single card. De La Cruz won 202 races in 2013 and again topped the two-century mark in 2016 with 207 winners.
Jockey Profiles
Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr.
Born: July 24, 1989 | Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Persky’s Spirit, Aqueduct, 2017 | Started Riding: 2016, Aqueduct Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park, Belmont Park, Meadowlands
Diaz made a strong impression in his first season at the Oldsmar oval, riding 60 winners to finish fourth in the standings. He followed that up by finishing fifth at Monmouth Park with 33 victories. Diaz draws inspiration from his younger brother, Hector Miguel (“Migue”), who was paralyzed from the waist down from a riding accident at Hipodromo Camarero in Puerto Rico in 2015. Their father, Hector Rafael Diaz, Sr., was a jockey; he retired in his mid-30s after incurring numerous injuries. Although the elder Diaz and Norma Sanchez, their mother, were not sold on the idea of their sons being jockeys, years of going to Camarero to watch their father compete stoked their passion. The brothers talk on a daily basis, with Migue often giving Hector, Jr., his thoughts on upcoming races. Hector, Jr., and Migue are cousins of brothers Irad Ortiz, Jr., and Jose Ortiz, two of the best in the business. Hector, Jr.’s first victory came in 2017 at Aqueduct on Persky’s Spirit, launching a year in which he rode 74 winners and was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. Diaz relishes the strategy involved in riding races on the turf, and his skill and timing on the grass already have made him a “go-to” jockey for many top Oldsmar trainers and a fan favorite. “There is a big difference between taking a light hold and strangling a horse, and he has very kind hands on a horse and is astute as to how they are traveling,” said trainer Kathleen O’Connell. “He is already polished and I think he has a great future if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”
Jockey Profiles
Jose C. Ferrer
Born: March 31, 1964 | Birthplace: Santurce, Puerto Rico | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Steps Fancy, Meadowlands, 1983 | Started Riding: 1982, Monmouth Park | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park
Last season was one to remember for the 40-year veteran, who rode 15-1 shot Helium to victory for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse in the Grade II Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. The upset gave Ferrer his first graded-stakes triumph in 10 years. Three months later, Ferrer won the Grade III Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth on a 79-1 shot, Informative. With more than 4,600 career winners, including 28 graded-stakes triumphs, Ferrer is a marvel. After winning three races last season on March 31 – which happened to be his 57th birthday – Ferrer performed 20 push-ups in the winner’s circle. He finished seventh in last season’s Oldsmar standings with 38 victories and followed that up by finishing third at Monmouth Park with 51 winners. Ferrer’s career is laden with sterling achievements, but none as meaningful as receiving the 2018 George Woolf Memorial Jockey award in voting by his fellow riders. The award is given to a jockey whose career and personal character reflect positively on racing. Ferrer won the 2018 riding title at Monmouth Park with 95 victories, including a personal-best six on a single card that July. The Feb. 14, 2016 card at Tampa Bay Downs was one to remember for Ferrer, who scored career victory No. 4,000 on Rocket Bottle for owner-trainer Robert G. Smith. Ferrer credits his faith and family – wife Steffi and their sons, Derek and Joseph – for mental and spiritual support and guidance.
Jockey Profiles
Antonio A. Gallardo
Born: July 18, 1987 | Birthplace: Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Teifani, Costa del Sol | Started Riding: Costa del Sol, Malaga, Spain | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Woodbine, Presque Isle Downs
Gallardo has won five of the last eight riding titles at Tampa Bay Downs, including three in a row from 2013-2014 through 2015-2016. He set the track’s single-season record in 2014-2015, posting 147 victories. He finished second last season with 103 winners. Career victory No. 2,000 came on Feb. 3, 2021 aboard Do What It Takes. For the sixth consecutive year, Gallardo achieved graded-stakes success, capturing the Grade III Florida Oaks on the Chad Brown-trained Domain Expertise in stakes-record time. That triumph was one of a track-best six stakes victories last season for Gallardo, who also won the Suncoast Stakes on Curlin’s Catch; the Gasparilla on Adios Trippi (in a dead-heat with Special Princess); the Wayward Lass with Lucky Stride; the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes with Heiressall; and the Florida Cup NYRABETS Sprint on Tap It to Win. In May of 2018 in the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, Gallardo captured his first Grade I victory aboard 23-1 shot Funtastic for top trainer Chad Brown. The hard-driving Spaniard posted 320 victories in 2015 to finish second in North America to Eclipse Award winner Javier Castellano and was runner-up again in 2016, with 332 victories, to Jose Ortiz. Gallardo has won four riding titles at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa. He has won five races on a single card at Oldsmar a record six times. Gallardo emerged as a force to be reckoned with in 2013 at Calder Race Course by winning four consecutive stakes on a single card, three for trainer Kathleen O’Connell.
Jockey Profiles
Wilmer Garcia
Born: January 8, 1992 | Birthplace: Bronx, New York | Residence: Odessa, FL First Win: Anne’s Tuition, Penn National, 2012 | Started Riding: 2011, Penn National | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park
Garcia tied for 10th in last season’s Tampa Bay Downs standings with 29 winners. In 2018, Garcia teamed with trainer Kathleen O’Connell to win the Grade II Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream Park with 4-year-old filly Stormy Embrace, a 15-1 shot. The trio also won the Princess Rooney the following year. Family has played a huge role in Garcia’s career. After suffering a hairline fracture in his neck in a car accident in January of 2013, he returned to his hometown of Manati, Puerto Rico, where he was nursed back to health by his mother, Omayra Aviles. Time, along with a steady diet of his favorite home-cooked meals, helped restore him to good cheer. Garcia gained fans locally in December of 2016 with an aggressive, victorious ride aboard 9-1 shot Triple Chelsea in the Lightning City Stakes. Garcia, who rode his first career winner three days before his 20th birthday, first attracted widespread attention in 2012 when he won 11 races at Saratoga as an apprentice. In 2015, he won the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on 47-1 shot Expected Ruler, a first-time starter. Garcia prides himself on being a student of the sport, soaking up knowledge from many of the track’s veteran jockeys.
Jockey Profiles
Pablo Morales
Born: September 5, 1988 | Birthplace: Lima, Peru | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Alena’s Boy, Gulfstream Park, 2005 | Started Riding: 2004, Monterrico, Peru | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Aqueduct, Presque Isle Downs
Morales moved his tack last season to Aqueduct in New York, and the results were impressive. He finished ninth in the winter meeting standings with 24 winners. He moved on to dominate his competition at Presque Isle Downs, riding 120 winners – 76 more than the runner-up – for his seventh title at the Erie, Pa., track. On Sept. 25, his travels resulted in a victory aboard 3-year-old gelding Everett’s Song for trainer Dale Bennett in the $275,000 Harrods Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs. Morales thrilled his family and friends on June 24, 2020 at Tampa Bay Downs, riding career winner No. 2,000 aboard Sanguine. On May 4, 2019 (Kentucky Derby Day), Morales had an afternoon Tampa Bay Downs fans will be talking about for years to come. He was a perfect 5-for-5, including victories in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Silver Charm Florida Sire Stakes on Jackson and the FTBOA Ivanavinalot Stakes on Wildwood’s Beauty. Earlier in that meeting, he won the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes for Triple Crown hopefuls on Well Defined for trainer Kathleen O’Connell. Morales rode 200 or more winners in three successive years from 2017-2019. He earned his first North American victory at Gulfstream Park in 2005 before his 17th birthday; that same year, just after turning 17, he captured the Grade II, $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs aboard The Daddy. One of several jockeys from Peru to ride at Oldsmar in recent years, Morales attended the same jockey school as Hall of Fame member Edgar Prado, Rafael Bejarano and fellow Tampa Bay Downs jockey Fernando De La Cruz. With 2,259 career victories entering the season, Morales has clearly transformed his potential into excellence.
Jockey Profiles
Alonso Quinonez
Born: November 13, 1983 | Birthplace: Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico | Residence: Ocala, FL First Win: Life’s Crown, Churchill Downs, 2006 | Started Riding: 2006, Louisiana Downs Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Canterbury Park, Hawthorne
Quinonez comes from a race-riding family. Luis Quinonez, the oldest of three brothers, has ridden more than 3,900 winners and still competes at Oaklawn Park, Lone Star and Remington. Middle brother Belen Quinonez retired in 2017 with 838 victories. Alonso, who had 964 career victories entering the 2021-2022 meeting, rode in California from 2007-2019, forging a reputation as a big-money performer. He found his “dream horse” in 2008, winning three Grade I stakes at Santa Anita, Churchill Downs and Saratoga on a 4-year-old filly named Intangaroo for trainer Gary Sherlock. Additional Grade I triumphs for the rider came in 2010 on Richard’s Kid in the Goodwood Stakes and Tell a Kelly in the Darley Debutante Stakes. Another big victory came on 3-year-old Premier Pegasus in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in 2011. After finishing 15th in last season’s Oldsmar standings with 17 victories, Quinonez traveled to Minnesota, where he finished third in the Canterbury Park standings with 57 winners. He had a night to remember at Canterbury in August, winning the Minnesota Derby on Thealligatorhunter and the Minnesota Oaks on Molly’s Angel. Both horses were trained by Tim Padilla, with Padilla and Peter Mattson breeding and owning Thealligatorhunter and Mattson breeding and owning Molly’s Angel. Quinonez and his wife Evelyn own some young horses in Ocala and plan to continue in the sport. Quinonez rode in Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016 on various weekends.
Jockey Profiles
Scott Spieth
Born: October 25, 1966 | Birthplace: Litchfield, Michigan | Residence: Oldsmar, FL First Win: Glendale Downs, 1981 (Quarter Horse) | Started Riding: 1981, Glendale Downs Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Belterra Park, Presque Isle Downs
Spieth, who had ridden 4,925 career winners through the end of the Presque Isle Downs meeting on Oct. 21, has his sights squarely focused on the 5,000-victory club, which has 37 members. He rode 35 winners at Presque Isle during the summer to finish fifth in the standings. In 2017, Spieth won the riding title at Delaware Park with 51 victories, his first meeting title in a decade. In April of 2016, Spieth made his 4,500th trip to a winner’s circle aboard Awesome Indeed at Tampa Bay Downs. Making the occasion doubly meaningful was that the horse was trained by Spieth’s fiancée (now his wife), Aldana Gonzalez Spieth. Spieth rode War Story in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, and although they finished off the board, the experience provided a wealth of memories. From 2000-2008, Spieth often rode two cards a day, competing at Thistledown outside Cleveland during the day and at Mountaineer in West Virginia at night. Spieth rode 307 winners in 2005 and averaged 269 victories a year from 2005-2007. In 2009, he recorded one of his most memorable triumphs aboard 3-year-old filly My Sister Margaret in the $500,000 West Virginia Jefferson Security Cup Cavada Breeders’ Classic at Charles Town. He credits his parents, Lavern and Gearldine, as well as his brothers, former Quarter Horse trainer Tony and equine dentist and blacksmith Jason, for their lifelong support. Spieth’s daughter Kirsten Swan is a jockey who won the 2014 Darley Award for her exploits aboard Arabian-bred horses.
Jockey Profiles
Huber Villa-Gomez
Born: January 28, 1976 | Birthplace: Ayacucho, Peru | Residence: Tampa, FL First Win: Victorio, in Peru | Started Riding: 1997 | Circuit: Tampa Bay Downs, Presque Isle Downs
After heading north last spring, Villa-Gomez had a typically strong summer at Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania, finishing third in the standings with 42 victories. Villa-Gomez, who notched career victory No. 2,000 in July of 2019 at Presque Isle Downs on Cozar’s Queen, is the epitome of a “lunch-bucket jockey.” He comes to work every day, quietly goes about his business and rewards owners, trainers and his backers with the best possible effort from their horses. In 2011, he tied countryman Pablo Morales for the Presque Isle Downs crown. Villa-Gomez captured his first graded-stakes triumph in October of 2015, winning the Grade III Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine on Cactus Kris. In May of 2016, they combined to win the Grade III Hendrie at the Toronto track. A measure of the respect in which Villa-Gomez is held came toward the tail end of the 2011-2012 Tampa Bay Downs meeting, when he rode 11 winners during a seven-day stretch – for nine different trainers. In 2011 in Oldsmar, VillaGomez was aboard Sneaking Uponyou for trainer Jamie Ness when the 5-year-old gelding set the 6-furlong track record (since bettered) of 1:08.69 in the Florida Cup Hilton Garden Inn Sprint; Sneaking Uponyou, Villa-Gomez and Ness won the race again in 2014. Through his 21-year career, Villa-Gomez has won at a steady 15-percent clip, long considered the benchmark for success in the industry.
