Page 111 - March 2020

THE BACKSIDE
“Staying positive is my number one mentality. Every horse has four legs and a heart. They all try to win as much as a rider wants to.”
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE TRACK TO COMPETE, AND WHY?
I don’t have a preferred race track to compete at, but none are like riding back home at Turf Paradise.
WHAT’S AN ACHIEVEMENT YOU’D LIKE TO REACH IN 2020?
My 2020 goal is to compete in the big races at Los Alamitos. It’s something I would like to experience. Win as many races as possible and get my name out there to the horse racing industry. Last but not least, to learn more
and more things, because everyday we learn something new.
WHAT’S YOUR ROUTINE ON A
RACE DAY?
My routine on a race day is to just stay as hydrated as possible. Sometimes I’ll have a small meal, depending on if it’s night or day
racing. I try to not be too tired on a race day and try to get some rest to make my body feel filled with strength.
WHAT’S THE BEST HORSE YOU’VE RIDDEN AND WHY?
I don’t have a preferred horse. Every horse does its job. Whether they win or run dead last, they give you their all. I learned that you can’t make every horse win. We compete against other horses and riders
that have a shot just as much as I do.
They all run under the same conditions so everything’s even—just that one is going to be faster than others. Every horse I ride, I ride with the mentality of winning. If I have a negative vibe, there’s no reason to ride
a race. Staying positive is my number one mentality. Every horse has four legs and a heart. They all try to win as much as a rider wants to.
WHAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT BEING
A JOCKEY THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW OR DON’T REALIZE?
They probably don’t realize how hard it is for us to not eat what we really want to eat, just so we can make the weight on race days. Gaining weight is easy. Losing weight is rough.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE ELSE LOOKING TO ENTER THE FIELD?
Keep your mind straight and right. If you want
to become someone, give it your all. Don’t give up, because this world does so many circles that one day, you’ll become what you never thought. Slowly but surely, make sure you stay humble, and don’t try to step over the ones who one day helped you out. Take advice from others to make you a better person. Patience is the last one and most important, don’t give up on your goals. Just keep pushing forward.
Mark with AQRA’s Loretta Brasher after he won the Dashing All The Way Stakes with Lett Her Bea at Turf Paradise
SPEEDHORSE March 2020 109
Coady Photography