Apprentice Gomez getting hot
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – If things had gone according to plan, Jose Gomez would be about a year into his career as a jockey. But a broken arm suffered in January 2021 delayed the beginning of his career.
It may have turned out to be a blessing.
Gomez, who began riding in June, has really seen things take off this January, winning four races over the last three cards at Aqueduct, where he is 4 for 17 at the winter meet. Gomez’s victory aboard Frosted Wild Ride in Friday’s first race was his fifth career victory, moving him from a 10-pound to seven-pound apprentice in just 43 mounts.
“Things are going good so far,” Gomez said earlier in this week. “I have a good team behind me.”
One member of that team is Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr., who is serving as Gomez’s agent and mentor.
Cordero said he was asked by trainer Kelly Breen, who has utilized Gomez as an exercise rider for a year, to work with him.
“We watch a lot of film and go over strategy,” Cordero said.
Cordero has been impressed with Gomez, calling him “a quick learner” and a “strong rider.” Cordero initially didn’t want Gomez to win his fifth race before the end of calendar year 2021 because he thought the 10-pound weight allowance would be attractive to horsemen. But less than 15 days into January, Gomez is now a seven-pound apprentice.
Cordero said he was surprised Gomez got to five wins so quickly “because he’s not riding [top] horses.
“I told him horses are going to run better for you than others because you want it more,” Cordero said. “When you’re young you think every horse had a chance. When you get older you think ‘What am I doing on this horse?’ ”
Gomez said “Breen thought it was a good idea to hook me up with Angel. Angel’s been teaching me a lot. I’m not the best yet, but we’re working and I’m taking it step by step.”
Cordero said Gomez has paid attention to his instructions to be close to the pace and close to the fence, especially in the winter.
On Thursday, Gomez gave Lady by Choice ($67.50) a front-running ride for trainer Oscar Barrera III on a track that early on favored speed. On Friday, he gave Frosted Wild Ride ($10.80) a front-running ride for trainer Juan Vazquez.
The recent wins have led to increased business for Gomez, who is out every morning exercising horses.
“Sometimes when you’re starting out you might feel down because you’re not as good as you want to be but you keep working,” Gomez said. “That’s what I’m trying to do, keep working and hopefully we’ll keep on winning some races.”
◗ Apprentice jockey Christian Ramos was diagnosed with COVID-19 and thus will be off his mounts through Sunday, the New York Racing Association reported. He is expected to return next Thursday. Ramos is 2 for 31 at the meet.
◗ The $100,000 Interborough Stakes failed to fill for a second consecutive day and thus will not be run in 2022.