Nearly a decade after saddling his final starter, Juan “Paco” Gonzalez still goes to Santa Anita most mornings but now the activity is strictly a hobby.
“I love watching the horses train,” he said. “I still have some friends at the track, so we walk the length of the grandstand back and forth to keep fit.”
Most of Gonzalez's success was condensed in the span from 1992 to 2002 when the barn raked in at least $1 million each year. One of his most popular runners was the blaze-faced gray Free House who finished third in all three Triple Crown races in 1997. Gonzalez accomplished the same feat with Mane Minister six years earlier. Both raced for John Toffan and Trudy McCaffery, Gonzalez's only clients throughout his career. Another headliner was Grade 1 winner Came Home for the partnership that flourished with primarily homebreds led by Free House who banked more than $3-million.
“We started with the original six and in 10 years, the owners had 120 horses,” Gonzalez said.
McCaffery died in 2007 and Toffan began downsizing the stable prior to his passing in 2019. Gonzalez offered to retire in 2012 so that the remaining five racers could seamlessly transfer to other conditioners. The transition left a legacy that began by happenstance and closed as one of racing's most successful stables.
Gonzalez became acquainted with Toffan and McCaffery when he was an exercise rider for their trainer Joe Manzi. When Manzi passed away unexpectedly in 1989, they asked him to be their private trainer.
Came Home in the 2002 Pacific Classic
“I really didn't want to do it; too chicken,” he said. “My brother Sal talked me into it and said he would work for me, so I took a chance.”
In addition to the aforementioned Free House, Mane Minister and Came Home, the team churned out a steady stream of high-level performers such as graded stakes winners Bien Bien, his son Bienamodo, Del Mar Dennis and Nice Assay (dam of Came Home).
Gonzalez relished those glory days but his true passion was his time at the barn.
“I miss interacting with the horses,” he said. “Seeing what will help them train better, eat better and anything else we can do to improve their performance. Very smart animals. They can't talk with a voice, but there are many ways to listen to them.”
The opinionated Came Home presented the Gonzalez crew with many challenges including the simple process of getting shod. The colt had little patience for the procedure so a compromise was reached—two new shoes one day, two more the next.
Gonzalez now is satisfied to watch others' racehorses and enjoys his more leisure after his morning track time.
“I come home, eat some lunch, turn on TVG and watch races,” he said. “I still take a little siesta for about 30 minutes. In the early evening, I take another walk around the block. I sometimes go to the park when there is a tai chi class and join in. And I visit the doctors for check-ups.”
His free time includes extended visits to Mexico to his see his sisters and their families.
“I'm happy I retired when I did,” he said. “I never liked to talk on the phone too much. I see trainers today that have to be on the phone all the time with owners and agents and studying the condition books for five different tracks. It is different and a lot of work. I'm ok with retirement.”
Liane Crossley is a Lexington-based freelance writer who has spent her entire career in Thoroughbred racing-related jobs in barns, press boxes and offices. She has worked for stables from Saratoga to Ak-Sar-Ben and from Canterbury Park to Oaklawn Park and about another dozen tracks in the eastern two thirds of America. A longtime contributor to Thoroughbred Times, her articles have appeared in Keeneland Magazine, Blood-Horse, Daily Racing Form, Thoroughbred Daily News, Breeders' Cup website, Horse Illustrated, European Bloodstock News, KyForward, Horse Illustrated, Young Rider and other publications. She is a seasonal member of Keeneland's media department.
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