Page 80 - July 2020

THE BACKSIDE
EDUARDO NICASIO
A JOCKEY’S PERSPECTIVE
“Stay humble and just work. One day you win, one day you don’t.”
The doctors told me; you need to be out two months. ... I don’t like to be at home, doing nothing.”
WHAT’S THE BEST HORSE THAT YOU’VE RIDDEN, AND WHY?
“Wow. I think the best horse I’ve ridden was Apollitical Jess. [Note: Nicasio rode 2010 World Champion Apollitical Jess to victory in the 2010 Champion of Champions and Los Alamitos Super Derby, and second place runs in the 2010 All American Derby and 2009 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.]
I started my career with that horse. He opened a lot of doors for me for a lot of good trainers.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNGER JOCKEYS, OR SOMEONE LOOKING TO ENTER THE SPORT?
“I teach my brother. He says, ‘I want to
be like you. I want to be a jockey.’ I always tell him, ‘It’s dangerous but if you like it,
I can teach you.’ If you want to be a jockey, you need to try to be learning all the time. Try to be the same as when you start. Don’t feel you’re the best jockey. Don’t feel you’re the best in a race. Stay humble and just work. One day you win, one day you don’t, maybe you win a lot of big races in one year and maybe the next you don’t win anything. Try to be the same
all the time.”
Eduardo with wife Mayra after receiving the PCQHRA Jockey Special Achievement award.
by John Moorehouse
HOME BASE:
Los Alamitos, CA
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 12
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Three-time winner of the Champion of Champions-G1 (2010, 2011, 2013). Fifth nationwide in Quarter Horse jockey earnings in 2019. Ninth in Quarter Horse wins in 2018.
FAVORITE HOBBY:
“When I don’t work at the track, I go to the ranch and help one of my friends with the babies. Also, I take time with my family. I try to be out of the truck for a little bit and relax. Most of the time, I’m working. I really love my job.”
HOW DID YOU BREAK INTO THE SPORT?
“When I was 10 or 11 years old, I was breaking horses for my father in Mexico. I came here to the United States at 14 or 15 years old. My dream was to be a professional jockey. One of my friends was
a trainer at the track, and I asked him if he could help me get my license. He told me I was too young to do that. But he taught me a lot. When
I turned 16, I was in Fresno. I got my galloping license. When I was 17, my friend took me to the track to see if I could get my jockey license. I rode my first racehorse on my birthday, when I turned 18. I always tried to follow my dream, and I made it.”
YOU’VE RIDDEN QUARTER HORSES EXCLUSIVELY. WHY HAVE YOU FOCUSED ON QUARTER HORSES AND NOT THOROUGHBREDS?
“When I was a kid, I always rode Quarter Horses. I liked the faster horses. Once my agent asked me, ‘Why don’t you go with the Thoroughbreds?’ I told them, you know what, I can try, but I don’t really like it. I love the Quarter Horses, the fast horses.”
EVERY ATHLETE HAS THEIR ROUTINE WHEN THEY COMPETE. WHAT’S YOUR ROUTINE ON A RACE DAY?
“I wake up at 4 in the morning and I get ready. The day of the race, I just want to gallop in the morning for a bit. I only eat a little, because you need to take care of your weight. Maybe some exercise, take a nap, and get ready. By 5 in the afternoon, it’s time to go to the track.”
IT’S A PHYSICAL SPORT. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PUNISHMENT OF RIDING? ANY BROKEN BONES OR MAJOR INJURIES?
“In every single job, there’s danger, you know? You can have accidents anywhere. I’ve fallen a couple of times. I think the most dangerous accident I ever had, one time I was galloping in the morning and one baby kicked me. She broke my ribs and [injured] my liver. I was out probably for a month.
“I rode my first racehorse on my birthday, when I turned 18. I always tried to follow my dream, and I made it.”
78 SPEEDHORSE July 2020