Deybis set to debut

When apprentice jockey Deybis Chavez guides Chasin Munny into post 9 for the start of Friday’s eighth race at Santa Anita, the 21-year-old will be surrounded by accomplished veterans.

To his inside, Tiago Pereira, 48, will be aboard Des Doigts. Pereira will be seeking his 739th win in the United States after an international career that includes a win in the 2010 Dubai World Cup.

To Chavez’s outside, Frank Alvarado, 56, will be on Kahuna Magic. Alvarado, a former leading rider in Northern California, has won 4,086 races in the United States.

Meanwhile, Chavez will have his first mount on Friday, two years after he began exercising horses with the hope of launching a riding career.

“It’s pretty cool,” Chavez said in a mid-week interview. “It’s like a dream that came true, especially because it’s Santa Anita Park, one of the best in the world. I’m thankful to people that have been around me and helping me.”

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That list includes trainers Mark Glatt and Luis Mendez, the latter of whom employed Chavez at a ranch in Utah where Chavez helped break yearlings and exercised horses.

“I decided to move to Utah and learn how to ride horses there,” Chavez said.

More recently, Chavez has been an exercise rider for Glatt, who has one of the most prominent stables in California.

A native of Guatemala, Chavez moved to the United States as a teenager and began working with horses after high school, he said. Chasin Munny, owned by James Hailey, is Chavez’s only mount onver the upcoming three-day weekend at Santa Anita. Chavez has ridden Chasing Munny in the mornings, he said.

“It’s going to be my first race,” Chavez said. “I’ll be kind of nervous, but I’ll be all right. I’ve been on that horse. I used to work the horse. I think he has a chance if I’m able to do what I want to do.”

Chavez joins Manny Americano, Serfin Carmona, and Welfin Orantes as apprentice jockeys riding at Santa Anita on Friday.

Friday’s race, which drew a field of 10, is a starter allowance/optional claiming race for former $16,000 claimers at six furlongs. Chasing Munny is entered to be claimed for $20,000.

The race is Chasing Munny’s first start since the 8-year-old gelding finished a close third in a $25,000 claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on Dec. 7. Chasing Munny last won on Nov. 8 at Del Mar in a $25,000 claimer.

Chasin Munny tends to run from off the pace, a tactic Chavez hopes to utilize.

“He doesn’t have enough speed,” Chavez said. “I’ll have to work hard on him because he likes to run from behind.”

After the race, Chavez will seek feedback from Kyle Frey, who also has a mount in the eighth race. Frey won the Eclipse Award as the champion apprentice jockey of 2011. Recently, Frey, 33, and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, 59, have provided Chavez with race-riding tips.

Frey “has pushed me since I started” exercising horses, Chavez said. “He’s been really cool with me.

“I have to keep learning from everyone. It will be my first race and I’ll try to enjoy it. I’ll do my best and try to stay safe.”

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