Edgar Morales tops Oaklawn apprentice group

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Edgar Morales has emerged as the leading apprentice during the Oaklawn Park meet, where he has found favor with a wide range of trainers.

“We’ve got a lot of business for the first time here,” said Morales.

Morales ranks 11th in the overall standing at Oaklawn through Sunday, with 13 wins from 138 starts. His mounts have earned $473,843. The 19-year-old, who was born in Puerto Rico, is the younger brother of the Louisiana-based rider Roberto Morales.

Edgar Morales said his brother brought him to Louisiana, where he galloped horses for trainers Efren Loza, Karl Broberg, and Danny Pish. Morales said Loza brought him to Kentucky last year and put him on his second winner. Morales registered his first win on Oct. 15, 2017 at Keeneland for trainer Jack Van Berg. The race was a $7,500 claimer and the horse was Star Dog.

“That horse came from far back,” Morales said. “Jack Van Berg told me to be patient, and I won!”

Star Dog closed from last in a field of 12, getting up for a half-length score over 1 1/8 miles.

Morales said after Oaklawn he will resume riding in Kentucky.

Other apprentices who have been part of the meet include Brett Birzer, the son of local journeyman Alex Birzer, and Katlin Bedford, a former U.S. Marine represented by retired jockey Don Pettinger.

Brett Birzer, 17, launched his career last summer, winning his first race July 27 at Prairie Meadows. He arrived at Oaklawn earlier this month after graduating early from high school, having taken senior-level academic classes over electives to position himself to ride full time.

“He’s so focused, and just knows what he wants and just goes after it,” said Alex Birzer, a winner of more than 3,100 races, a finalist for the 2018 George Woolf Award, and currently a member of the board of the Jockeys' Guild. Alex Birzer's brother Gary became paralyzed after a spill at Mountaineer in 2004.

Brett Birzer wrapped up his brief Oaklawn stand Sunday and said he is now headed to Turfway Park, where he is scheduled to be named on horses this weekend. He is to ride this summer in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio after receiving an offer to represent him from agent Jimmy McNerney. Birzer decided to head to the Midwest after discussing options with his father as well as his local agent, Brian Assmann.

“My dad kind of wishes I’d stay around him a little longer,” said Birzer, adding that his father and Assmann also did not want to keep him from accepting the opportunity.

Alex Birzer said his son has long wanted to pursue becoming a jockey.

“It makes you proud,” said Alex Birzer, who also is the son of a jockey. “He’s always wanted to ride and that’s the only thing he’s ever talked about doing. I can remember looking at my dad’s win pictures and just thinking, ‘Man, that’s the greatest job on the planet.’ So, I look at Brett, and I remember how much I wanted it, and I just try to be supportive.”

Bedford, 26, became interested in becoming a jockey after a trip to Saratoga. The Kansas native was raised in New York.

“I grew up on a dairy farm, and when I was 8 or 10 I went to Saratoga with my parents,” Bedford said. “I told my parents, ‘I’m going to do that one day.’”

Bedford pursued many opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry. She worked at a broodmare farm, groomed horses at Saratoga, began galloping horses at a farm in Florida, and also worked for consignors at auctions. But she also spent 5 1/2 years in the U.S. Marines. When Bedford was offered an opportunity to become an officer, she instead turned her focus back to her first dream, race riding.

“I was 24 and I knew it was now or never,” she said.

Bedford won for the first time on July 16, 2016 at Prairie Meadows. She has come back from two injuries, and her determination has impressed Pettinger, a winner of more than 3,300 races.

“She’s very willing to work and learn,” Pettinger said. “She’s a hard worker. She gets on quite a few horses in the morning and enjoys it.”

Bedford said she will head to Canterbury after Oaklawn.

◗ The feature Thursday is an optional $50,000 claiming sprint that drew Grade 2 winner St. Joe Bay, Grade 3 winner Recount, and the razor-sharp Smart Spree.