Mexican Jockey Mario Gutierrez Rides To Victory In Kentucky Derby
By Jerry Bossert / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Born in Veracruz, Mexico, the 25-year-old jockey can now say he has won the Kentucky Derby after guiding home I’ll Have Another to a length-and-a-half victory over favored Bodemeister in Saturday’s $2 million race.
In 2005, Gutierrez became an apprentice jockey at Hipodromo de las Americas race track in Mexico City but was making no money and eventually made his way to Canada to pursue his dream.
He tried riding some winters at northern California tracks with moderate success before trying his luck at Santa Anita, which is where owner J. Paul Reddam recognized the skills of the talented rider.
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[Photo by southerntabitha]