Page 93 - December 2020

YOU’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AROUND AND COMPETE AT A VARIETY OF TRACKS [EIGHT SO FAR]. WHAT’S THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE? “It’s honestly amazing. Especially that far into starting my career, that I was able to go to Texas for a good friend of ours. Then I ran in Indiana with some of our babies. Then I got to go to Canada and run every Monday up there.”
OF THOSE TRACKS, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE?
“The main track I really liked was Sam Houston. I really liked the different scenery and how it was set up. As far as out-of-state ones, that was my favorite.”
WHAT’S YOUR ROUTINE ON RACE DAY?
“I usually wake up early, I’d say 4. Get to
the track by 4:40. Go to my first barn, start galloping from 5:30 all the way to 10. And then from there, finish up at our barn, at the latest by 12, and from there go run, eat something light, and get ready for the night.”
IS MAKING WEIGHT OR STAYING ON WEIGHT A CHALLENGE?
“When I first started wanting to really ride, I had to drop quite a bit of weight. I’d say it took half a year to get where I wanted to be. Now it’s just maintaining it. We all have our cravings. I wouldn’t say I struggle; I just have to watch my weight.”
Oscar aboard You Caught My Eye after winning the Rebagain Handicap at Los Alamitos.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CRAVING?
“My craving would have to be candy. Sour Patch Kids.”
WHAT FUTURE GOALS DO YOU HAVE?
“Just to be able to run in the All American or any of those futurities out in Oklahoma. Those out-of-state, big races—the triple crown races.”
WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING WITH FAMILY?
“I’ve been doing this since I was small. I think it’d be the easy way of working. Everyone gets along. We read each other’s mind, know what to do. Like a normal house; you have to do your chores. Everyone has their assignments and just works comfortably.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HORSE YOU’VE RIDDEN AS A PRO?
“The most exciting one I had to ride was Chocolatito. This last race, he took the Boniface by a length if not two, and those last 100 yards, he just rocketed, over-driving. We closed so hard on that horse. He just did all the work and pulled home, astonishingly.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELF INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?
“More publicity. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t know much about horse racing or any of it. Most jockeys you see now, their uncle was a jockey or dad was a jockey. It’s rare to see people who don’t know much about horse racing to come into that, since it’s such an enclosed community. It’s hard to understand what’s involved in horse racing or how to get involved with it.”
Oscar with his father Oscar Sr. and mother Elena after his first victory.
Oscar with owner/ trainer Bill Hoburg after winning the
Go Man Go Handicap with BH Lisas Boy.
THE BACKSIDE
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