Jaime Rodriguez moving tack back to Mid-Atlantic
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Jaime Rodriguez, who enjoyed some success in New York last fall and winter, will be moving his tack back to the Mid-Atlantic region following his riding engagements at Saratoga on Saturday.
Rodriguez, who will be based at Delaware Park and in Maryland, said the primary reason he is leaving New York is to be closer to his family. Rodriguez and his wife Amber live in Delaware with their three children aged 12, 7, and 3.
“It was a hard decision to make, but it was hard being away from the family,” Rodriguez said Friday after winning Saratoga’s eighth race aboard Contrary Thinking. “I don’t mind the work. I care more about the family. We’re always together. Every time I finished riding, I would go home. Every time they come up, they say, ‘Daddy, when you coming home?’ It’s hard when you have kids and they’re never with you. I feel a little depressed because they’re not here with me for the support.”
Rodriguez, who has 2,692 career victories, won multiple riding titles in Maryland and Delaware before moving his tack to New York last September. Rodriguez had a strong Aqueduct fall meet, winning 20 races from 148 mounts, finishing fifth in the standings in wins. His 39 wins during the Aqueduct winter meet had him in a three-way tie for third with Flavien Prat and Kendrick Carmouche.
Through Friday, Rodriguez had won nine races from 143 mounts at Saratoga, a meet that began with him winning the Saranac Stakes aboard Heeere’s Johnny. Rodriguez said he may return to New York for the winter.