Page 35 - NM Spring 2019

Riding for nationally acclaimed trainer Steve Asmussen, Alfredo rallied the 11-to-1 longshot Hence through the field for a three-length win. Hence broke last from the gate in the mile and an eighth race and was catching dirt in his face for much of the race.
“He was spooked a little bit with the dirt, so I moved him to the outside and he found another gear,’’ says Alfredo. “When we passed the five- eighth pole I was passing horses. I stayed outside because a lot of the horses were stopping. When I got to the three-eighths pole he was rolling. By the time we got to the eighth pole, I was in front. I thought, don’t fall off. When I crossed the wire, I started crying. I had so much emotion.’’
A moment of elation that two weeks later would end in disappointment.
Instead of keeping Juarez on Hence for the run in the Kentucky Derby, Asmussen replaced him with the French rider Florent Geroux. Hence and Geroux would finished 11th in the derby, 18 lengths behind the winner, Always Dreaming.
It was Lisa who broke the news to Alfredo
that he had been taken off Hence. Adding to their disappointment was the fact someone from Churchill Downs who was working on the pre- derby festivities had called Lisa and asked her how many seats her family would need.
It was also Lisa who found out Alfredo had the mount on Hence in the Sunland Derby.
“I remember listening to the draw just because I thought maybe they’ll give him something,’’ she says. “He didn’t even know. He was in Juarez visiting his family.’’
Lisa initially considered not going to Sunland for the race.
“I wasn’t going to be there, but I thought, you never know. This could be the one,’’ she said.
The family didn’t get to celebrate with Alfredo after the win because Lisa drove back to Albuquerque that same night to get ready for work the next day.
Alfredo has ridden for most of the top trainers in New Mexico and currently does much of his riding for Flaco Cappellucci’s barn.
“Alfredo is going to give you an honest
ride every time,’’ says Cappellucci. “I think he’s best quality is that he’s so strong down the lane. It may be because of his upper body strength. And he’s so personable, you can’t help but like him.’’
Alfredo turned 43 last November. Ask him how much longer he plans to ride and in typical form is non-committal.
“I never make plans because my plans never come the way I want them to. That’s how it’s been all my life,’’ he says. “The more I plan them, the more wrong they get. I’m not a planner. That’s what works for me.’’
Alfredo’s live-in-the-moment mantra is just part of the Juarez family game plan. Somehow they thrive no matter the turmoil. They stay the course in the face of potential chaos. They stay focused on what matters most.
“It’s hard, it’s work,’’ says Lisa. “But it works.’’
The one sure thing in this whole saga is that little Giancarlo will probably never grow up to be a jockey.
He’s allergic to horses.
Alfredo Juarez, Jr. with his wife Lisa and their children, Ashlee and Giancarlo
“It’s hard, it’s work,’’ says Lisa. “But it works.’’
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