Page 140 - March_2022

2021 Lone Star Park’s Co-Leading Quarter Horse Trainers J.J. Gonzales III (center, red hoodie) and Toby Keeton.
“I was born into the racehorse industry. It was in my blood. I’d be in school thinking about racehorses and thinking about the races.”
138 SPEEDHORSE March 2022
THE BACKSIDE
JJ GONZALES III
HOME BASE: Las Vegas, New Mexico YEARS EXPERIENCE: “Last spring at
Remington Park.”
ASSOCIATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Tied with Toby Keeton for the trainer title at Lone Star in 2021. Scored his first graded stakes wins during the 2022 meet at Sunland Park.
HOBBIES: “I have four younger brothers. Three of them are in high school. I try to watch their basketball and football games. I get my inner kid out and play video games with them. I hang out with my buddies at the racetrack, and I like to hang out at the barn with my crew: my jockey, my grooms, my assistant.”
by John Moorehouse
Some kids learn to read at home or at school, or even from watching educational programs like “Sesame Street.” Then there’s JJ Gonzales III.
“The first thing we read was the racing program,” Gonzales said.
First obtaining his license in 2021, Gonzales is a third-generation trainer. His grandfather, James Gonzales, trained horses. Then JJ’s father, James Gonzales II, embarked on a successful jockey career that included winning the All American Futurity before becoming a trainer.
Gonzales III made an attempt to go his own path. He played football and wrestled in high school and started college but left after a couple of years.
“I was born into the racehorse industry. It was in my blood,” Gonzales III said. “I’d be in school thinking about racehorses and thinking about the races. The first opportunity I got to help my dad; I seized the opportunity.”
Gonzales spent about three years helping his father before starting to build his own stable and client list. In 2021, he produced 19 wins in 112 starts for his Quarter Horse trainees.
“We run it all as a family. I have my clients; he has his clients. For the most part, we operate completely as a team,” said Gonzales III, who currently is training 14 horses this season.
At just 26 years old, Gonzales has a bright future in the industry. He also took some time to tell us more about himself and his career in the latest installment of our Backside feature.
Did you ever think about following your dad as a jockey?
“Back when I was a kid, that’s what dad did. Every little boy looks up to their dad, you know? I thought my dad was superhuman and that’s what I wanted to be when I was young. As time went on, I got into sports. Once I got into middle school and high school age, I got to playing my sports, football and wrestling. After that I never thought about being a jockey.”
Was there anything specific about being a trainer that appealed to you?
“I don’t know if it was anything specific. Simply the love for the horses, the love for the sport. I’m a very competitive person. Anybody who loves horse racing has to love to compete. Because if you’re not first, you’re last.”
You started out helping your father. Any other mentors or people who have helped you along the way?
“There are a lot of people. That’s one thing
Dustin Orona Photography Coady Photography