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from city to city; see new tracks; meet new people; and keep up friendships with people we might just see once a year,” he said.
Even when stress sets in and he takes a few days off, he can’t wait to get back to work. “It’s the adrenaline,” he said. “We run races four days a week and when you win the regular day races, it’s a thrill. But there’s nothing like winning the big ones. You get hungry and want another one. It’s that rush that makes you want to do it again.”
To extend his adrenaline rush, Ramirez enjoys four-wheeling in his off time. And to wind down, he hunts and fishes with Trey and Blane. The time they spend together has forged close bonds with the Wood family. “He’s really my friend— one of the best friends I have,” said Trey.
Blane agrees. “He’s like my son, like part of the family,” he said. “And he’s a very good family man.”
Ramirez’ wife, Alejandra, and his almost 2-year-old son, Santiago, travel with him on the circuit: Remington Park in Oklahoma City in spring; Ruidoso, New Mexico, in summer; Lone Star Park near Dallas in fall; and on to Sunland Park near El Paso, Texas, in winter.
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Ramirez’ agent, Bobbie Harmon of Mesilla Park, New Mexico—himself a jockey for
36 years—admires Ramirez’ work ethic and dedication. “He focuses,” Harmon said. “He’s got a natural talent and works hard, and he wants to win. That’s what it takes in any athlete.”
His drive to win comes partly from his background. “Coming from the match races, I don’t think I ever had a new set of equipment, and I know what it’s like to start out with nothing,” Ramirez said. “And I’ve had my share of injuries. But I can fall off a horse and I can’t wait to get back on. I do it because I love the sport so much.”
That love has led him to learn all he can to make each run on each horse all it can be. And he names Jacky Martin as the jockey he most looks up to. “He was one of the best riders I’ve ever see and on top of that he was a horseman,” Ramirez said. “He would get so much run out of a horse!”
Ramirez’ advice to aspiring jockeys who also love the sport? “Always listen to the more experienced riders,” he said. “You never quit learning in this career. You never know it all. Every horse is different; every race is different. You learn from your own mistakes as well as from others.”
Ricky Ramirez has lived by his own advice, resulting in an already successful career.
Ricky Ramirez aboard BP Cartels Alibi in the 2012 All American Futurity-G1 post parade.
Ricky Ramirez and Miss Racy Vike return after winning the Los Alamitos Super Derby-G1.
SPEEDHORSE, November 2, 2012 77
Los Alamitos Stacy Pigott: Speedhorse