Edwin Gonzalez notched career win No. 1,500 Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla, where the veteran is enjoying considerable success while competing in his first Spring/Summer Meet.
The 29-year-old journeyman guided Surprise Factor to victory in Race 4 on Saturday's program at Gulfstream to reach the career milestone, which includes 443 wins in his native Puerto Rico.
“I'm very emotional. I cried when I passed the wire,” Gonzalez said. “It's something a lot of jockeys don't do. I came to this country by myself and have been working all these years with my family to get opportunities with trainers and owners. It's amazing. I'll keep working hard.”
Gonzalez, who had ridden the winner of Race 3 to set up his career-milestone ride in Race 4, currently ranks third in the jockey standings for the Spring/Summer Meet with 53 victories, four behind Edgard Zayas (57) and one behind Emisael Jaramillo (54) through Race 4.
Gonzalez, who ventured to the U.S. in 2013, had dominated at Penn National the past two years while winning at a 30 percent rate before venturing to Gulfstream Park, where agent Kevin Meyocks is booking his mounts.
“It was time to go. It was the right thing and the right time,” said Gonzalez, who rode five winners on the May 13 program.
Gonzalez, who has settled in Miami Gardens with his wife, Karina, and their three children, is planning on riding year-round at Gulfstream.
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