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Andres Calleja felt like a winner after guiding Bryan Waldridge's War Eagle's Love to a fourth-place finish for trainer Anthony Stephen in Friday's second race at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. The experience fulfilled the 22-year-old's dream of being a jockey and set him on a career course.

“It is indescribable,” Calleja said about the experience while he accepted well wishes from colleagues in the crowd. “There is just so much happening (in the race) with so many moving parts. Trying to focus is definitely something I have to keep practicing. I got as fit and as prepared as I possibly could.”

A graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Calleja is planning a second career while he concentrates on riding racehorses. He has been taking classes at the University of Kentucky with a long-range plan of earning an engineering degree. For now, winning races is his first priority.

“I definitely will be taking some more classes,” he said. “I really like the mathematics. I am not in any rush. That is a future goal. That is something to lean back on, but being a jockey is my dream.”

Calleja learned about racing from his father, Gustavo, who has held various positions in the industry including riding horses at unofficial tracks in Mexico. The younger Calleja had no previous experience in the saddle until he climbed aboard an inexperienced Thoroughbred filly owned by his father. He eventually started riding other people's racehorses while doing barn chores. He met Anthony Stephen at The Thoroughbred Center in north Lexington.

Stephen, a former jockey, recognized Calleja's enthusiasm and dedication and decided to give the youngster his first afternoon mount. Calleja is scheduled to ride again for Stephen in Sunday's fourth race where he is named aboard Americain Joey.

“He works really hard seven days a week,” Stephen said. “He always wants to do more. He knows (War Eagle's Love) really well. He rides her every morning. He gets along with her and that is the main thing – not every jockey fits every horse. He deserved the chance. He did great.”

The post Jockey Andres Calleja Relishing Dream Job As He Gets His First Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Commonwealth Polo Club is hosting the first “Polo for the PDJF” on Friday, April 23, 2021, in Paris, Kentucky, with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”).

The evening will include dinner, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, with the main attraction being the retired and active jockeys who will be playing polo while riding retired race horses. Jockeys who will be playing include Chris McCarron, Rosie Napravnik, PJ Cooksey, Anthony Stephen, Michael Heath and many others. Additionally, the event will be emceed by Hall of Fame jockey, Gary Stevens, and attended by Shane Sellers, Jean Cruget, Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, and Gary Birzer, along with other active and retired jockeys.

“We are really looking forward to the event,” said Susan Moulton, wife of well-known retired jockey Shane Sellers, and member of Commonwealth Polo Club. “They are coming out to play to raise money and awareness for their fellow jockeys who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an on-track accident. As there is no guaranteed funding for the PDJF, it is important that we come together as an industry to assist in providing for these jockeys who gave so much for the sport of horse racing.”

Moulton, along with Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales and Silver Springs Training, and Jorge Vasquez, co-founder of the Commonwealth Polo Club, came up with the idea and are hoping to make it an annual event.

“Raising awareness for the risk and injuries jockeys face is something that is important to me,” said Vasquez, “as I have a brother who is a retired jockey and many family members and friends who are in the racing industry.”

During the silent auction, guests will be given the opportunity to bid on a unique array of items including autographed racing memorabilia, artwork, jewelry, and equestrian items. Auction items of interest include halters worn by American Pharoah and Justify donated by Coolmore America, Tapit donated by Gainesway Farm, and Midnight Bisou donated by Bloom Racing Stables and Hill N Dale Farm.

Sponsors of the polo teams include Gainesway Farm, Winstar Farm, Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Safari North Farm, Team Valor, Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales, and Silver Springs Training.

Musical Entertainment will be “The Steve Norman Band.” There will be food provided by Proud Mary BBQ. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the polo match beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. Admission for the event is $10 per car load. Commonwealth Polo Club is located at 2665 Bethlehem Road in Paris, Kentucky.

For more information please contact Jorge Vasquez at Commonwealth Polo Club at 859-321-6785.

The post Polo For The PDJF: Jockeys On OTTBs In Benefit Event At Commonwealth Polo Club appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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