After earning his fourth career victory last June at Monmouth Park, apprentice jockey Laureano Sosa decided to take a break from race-riding for nine weeks.
As an apprentice, Sosa – who turns 21 on Monday – is entitled to a weight allowance on his mounts for a year from the date of his fifth victory, which came on Dec. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs on Aidingandabetting for trainer Juan Arriagada. After beginning his career with a 10-pound allowance, he currently receives 7 pounds off; that will drop to 5 pounds after his 40th career victory.
With 18 winners at the current meet, he is up to 22 total. Seven winners came during the previous four weeks, earning Sosa the Boot Barn Jockey of the Month Award in a tight competition with Samuel Marin.
Following career winner No. 4, both his then-agent, Dylan Fazio, and trainer Jesse Cruz advised him to cool his jets to acquire as much knowledge and experience as possible before he graduates to “journeyman” status and is required to carry the full weight assigned to his mounts by the racing secretary. Despite being “crazy to start riding again,” Sosa believed his best move was to postpone losing the “bug” (apprentice allowance) as long as possible to be able to ride the entire spring and summer of 2023 at Monmouth as an apprentice.
Traditionally, a majority of trainers seek apprentice jockeys who are a good fit for their horses in the belief that the lower weight in a race is an advantage.
Sosa spent most of last year's Monmouth meet galloping horses for trainer Gregg Sacco in the mornings and watching his once-and-future rivals win races in the afternoons. He doubtless missed out on some winners, but believes the time spent around the Grade I-winning trainer and his stable of quality Thoroughbreds did much to advance his personal learning curve.
“I think it was a good decision (to curtail his race activity) in the long run, even though when you feel hot you don't want to stop riding,” said Sosa, who won his first race last April 22 at Tampa Bay Downs aboard Sea Trident. “It gave me more time to work on perfecting my skills, getting more fit and learning the business.
“A year ago I didn't think I was ready to start riding full-time. I didn't think I was fit enough, so I took the time, increased my fitness and worked on improving my leg strength. I feel stronger now than I ever have, and I think it shows in that I'm riding more horses and riding more consistently.”
Sosa, who moved to the United States from his native Argentina when he was 6, has long seemed to be destined to be a jockey. His father Lucas Sosa enjoyed tremendous success in his homeland, finishing his career at Delaware Park in 2013.
The elder Sosa, who is working on securing a visa to work in the United States exercising horses, watches Laureano's races and is a huge booster of his career.
“There are times when I'll mess up in a race and he'll text me and ask how it went,” Laureano said. “I'll ask for his thoughts, and he'll give me pointers and guide me in the right direction.”
There are numerous other sources Sosa turns to when seeking advice. He considers Angel A. Rodriguez, another Tampa Bay Downs jockey, a mentor, and he often approaches his jockeys'-room valet, Walter Cicero, for advice and suggestions.
That connection couldn't be more genuine. Cicero, who exercises horses in the mornings, is a former jockey who rode against Lucas Sosa in Argentina from 1993-1995.
“He reminds me of his father, the way he thinks and listens,” Cicero said. “His father was very professional and dedicated in his job, and so is Laureano. He is honest and respectful and wants to be the best.”
Earlier this week, Cicero arrived at the track kitchen at 5:30 a.m. for an opening cup of coffee, only to find Sosa ahead of him in line. Being first at Papa Jim's might not help him win more races, but within the tight-knit racing community, it's a sign that priorities are in the right order.
“I just tell him to keep doing what he's doing,” Cicero said. “He's a quiet guy, kind of shy, but you can tell he's a good learner. I think he can become a great rider.”
Sosa's Tampa Bay Downs agent, Chris La Rosa, has been impressed by his eagerness to acquire knowledge from as many sources as possible.
“The way he listens and absorbs information and advice from trainers and other riders has pulled him into the next level and given him more good opportunities,” said La Rosa, who emphasizes honesty over excuse-making in Sosa's dealings with horsemen as the best approach to building his business.
“Every day, his mindset is on getting to the winner's circle,” La Rosa said. “Where he is now is a result of his hard work and dedication over the last 5 months.”
Sosa speaks sincerely about his experiences, and you get the idea he's afraid to leave out anyone he should credit for his progress. Without much prompting, he'll mention trainer Dennis Ward, who taught him to gallop a few years back at Palm Meadows Training Center; Michael Stidham, whom he worked for two years ago at Fair Grounds; Arnaud Delacour, his main employer here last year; and trainers Eoin Harty and Lynn Rarick, who have been providing opportunities for him on good horses this season.
“I'm very grateful to get those chances. Being able to represent Eoin Harty and his well-bred Godolphin horses, and doing well on Lynn's horses – the fact they put their trust in me gives me more confidence to give them the best ride possible in the afternoons,” Sosa said.
His girlfriend of 8 months, Morgan Gonzales, works with show horses and provides a welcome perspective check from the often high-pressure environment at the track. But when Sosa really needs to feel grounded, he turns to his mother, Lorena Ladogana, for reassurance.
Ladogana is a hotwalker for Oldsmar trainer Maria Bowersock and also handles laundry chores for several trainers. Previously a member of the track's Housekeeping staff, she appears in almost all of Laureano's winner's-circle photographs.
“She pushes me to do better, as my mom,” he said. “She's my role model, and seeing what she does makes me work even harder to look as good as she does.”
Clearly, Sosa has plenty of guidance steering in the right direction.
The post Apprentice Laureano Sosa’s Work Ethic, Ability To Learn Taking Him To ‘Next Level’ At Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
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