Page 14 - March 2007 The Game

14 The Game, March 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Olguin Paying off at Santa Anita
Veteran jockey Gerry Olguin, a regular at Woodbine, returned to his roots this winter to ride at Santa Anita. Olguin raced on the California circuit as an apprentice but hadn’t been back in the southern area of California since winning “about 45” races as a bug boy in the late 80s at Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood.
“I’ve been going to San Francisco the last two years and riding at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate,” says Olguin.
This year, though, all the stars aligned to bring Olguin to the epi-centre of west coast racing. His father, Rogelio, a retired rider, is now an agent and suggested his son get some rides in warmer climates while most of the rest of us chilled up north.
“My dad is the agent for Martin Garcia,” says Olguin. “Garcia was second best apprentice in the nation last year.”
Olguin arrived in Los Angeles on January 7 and got his first mount on January 11. It couldn’t have worked out better.
“I won on the first one I rode, Proud Ringer,” he says, sounding almost as surprised as his interviewer. “It was for Tricar Stables, trained by Sal Gonzalez. It came off the pace and paid $83.00.”
Wow. Welcome to California, Gerry! Needless to say, ensuing wins did not come with as easily.
“I’ve been riding a lot of horses in the
morning, then riding in the afternoon,” he says, describing the long days of a typical journeyman. “The weather is beautiful.”
Olguin is completely comfortable having his father, Rogelio, as his agent.
“My dad rode at Caliente in Tijuana and Hastings Park in Vancouver,” says Olguin. “I don’t have to
worry about anything
because I know he’s
trying 100% for me. He’s
keeping me busy. He’s
been giving me barns.
I’ve broken a lot of
horses and five or six of
the horses I’ve won on
have been maidens.
We’re working and we’re
having fun. He tells me
where I have to go in the
morning, I get there early
and I work the horses and,
I go golfing.”
Well, how’s your game, I ask on a day when the wind chill hits -25 in Toronto.
“I’m playing ok. There’s some nice courses here and the weather is pretty nice,” he laughs at my expense.
From mid-January through February 20, Olguin booted home the following winners:
Jan.14: Shanghai Tang ($27.40) Trainer/Owner Antonio Lopez
Jan.24: Blazen Bunny ($19.20) Trainer
Rafael Becerra
Feb.7: Sidepocket Cat ($8.80) Trainer
Donald Warren
Feb. 9: R. Beau ($9.40) Trainer Chuck
Peery
Feb.16: Chief Storm Cloud ($22.40)
Trainer Jason Orman
There might have been
don’t get a fast horse, it’s hard to win.” In spite of the kinder climate, Olguin emphasizes that he is lonely, so far away from his wife Robin and son Kai. Half
that equation is about to be solved.
“My son is 10 and I e-mail him every day, but it’s not the same,” he says warmly. “I’m waiting for Kai to get his passport and, as soon as he gets it, he’s coming down. He likes to watch me race. I’m sure it’s hard for Robin. I miss them a
lot.”
You can expect Olguin to be back at
Woodbine for the entire racing season in 2007. He’s hoping the fitness level and momentum he’s picking up will translate into better numbers than he piled up last year (27 wins, $1,773,770).
“I just want to keep on riding here right now and, when I get to Woodbine, I want to continue riding there and see what happens,” he says. “I’m 34 and I feel like I’m riding well. If I continue riding good horses, it’s fun. It’s fun when you’re winning races.” - PG
on my days off,
Rising Star Stakes February 10 but he had a virus in his system and didn’t run well.” Olguin is aware that the southern California jockey colony is a tough place to suddenly step in and expect to be
assigned great horses.
“David Flores, Garrett Gomez,
Richard Migliore, Espinoza,” he rhymes off the names of the guys winning most of the races. “They’re good, but it’s just race riding. I’m not intimidated by them. There’s different styles here and there’s a lot of good riders at Woodbine too. If you
Stock Photo - The Game
one more win added to that list, but Olguin was taken down in the last week of January after crossing the line first.
“Spanky Come Home got disqualified,” he says. “The horse tried to bolt when he was in front and I interfered with the horse running second. Then I went and rode him in New Orleans in the
Did You Know....
That the 2005 G1 Pattison Canadian International winner, Relaxed Gesture (IRE), has been sold for stud duties in the Czech Republic. The six-year-old son of Indian Ridge is now owned by Antonin Sieklik who will stand him at Napajedla Stud Farm.
Legal Jousting(IRE)
Krista Kocot
IN THE HEART OF THE NIAGARA PENINSULA
905-680-5380.cell: 905-933-6320 www.kingsgatestud.com info@kingsgatestud.com
Request For Nominations
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Nominating Committee is seeking public participation in the nomination of candidates to be considered for induction in 2007 to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The classification of Inductees are - Horses, Builders, Jockeys and Trainers.
Submissions must include as much detail as possible concerning the record and/or merits of the candidates nominated.
The submissions, if mailed, must be post-marked, or delivered by hand, or faxed no later than April 17, 2007 to:
Chair of the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Woodbine Racetrack
555 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale, ON M9W 5L2 416-675-3993 ext. 2399 Fax:416-213-2126
Submissions will be considered carefully by the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee and, if approved, will be presented to the Election Committee which will vote by secret ballot on the nominees. A candidate must receive 75% of the votes cast to be declared.
For further information regarding eligibility contact: Louis Cauz at 416-239-6009 or 416-675-3993 ext. 2399