Luis Rivera, Jr. said the credit for Strawberry Red's victory in Friday night's third race at Monmouth Park belonged to the horse's owner, trainer and jockey.
In other words, to him.
The 53-year-old journeyman rider posted his first victory as an owner, trainer and jockey since Strawberry Red won at Monmouth Park on Aug. 8, 2018, when the gelded son of Regal Ransom rallied through to slop to overtake Victory Chimes for a victory in the $12,500 claimer.
Strawberry Red paid $13.60 for his sixth career win.
“Everyone gets to celebrate this – the owner, trainer and jockey,” said Rivera, Jr., who took out his training license in June of 2018. He has 1,560 winners as a jockey in a career that began in 1987.
Rivera's La Familia Stable LLC owns Strawberry Red, who came back to Rivera's care from trainer Bill Hogan two starts ago. Strawberry Red won a race at Monmouth Park a year ago with Rivera as the trainer, but Isaac Castillo rode the horse.
The 2018 victory by Strawberry Red was the last time Rivera pulled off his “trifecta” as winning owner, trainer and rider. That also marked his first victory as a trainer.
“I just get up every morning and start working,” said Rivera. “That's all there is to it. I just have the one horse now that I own, train and ride so that makes it a little easier. But this is why I keep doing this, for times like this. I love it.”
Rivera said he took out his training license “because I know I can't ride forever. I need something to do when I stop riding.”
Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday with a 13-race card. First race post time is 12:50 p.m.
The post Luis Rivera Jr. Hits Trifecta With Monmouth Win As Jockey, Trainer And Owner appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
