Ricardo “Ricky” Gonzalez's decision to move his tack from Northern California to Southern California was a decision that brought him his first career Grade 1 win and Jockey of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 21 through Dec. 27. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.
Trainer Eoin Harty gave Gonzalez a leg up on Fair Maiden in the G1 La Brea for 3-year-old fillies on Santa Anita's opening day. Off at odds of 20-1 and seventh of 10 in the early portion of the seven-furlong race, she gained ground on the far turn, kicking clear to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:22.69.
“I've been watching Ricky since he came down here and I think he's the next superstar,” said Harty.
On his first career G1 win Gonzalez remarked, “I was just so happy and excited, just to ride these kinds of horses, it feels great. I am very thankful to Eoin and all the trainers for all the opportunities.”
In the final stakes of opening day, Gonzalez was aboard Nasty for trainer Richard Baltas in the one mile Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Nasty took a commanding lead in the first half of the turf contest and held off a furious rally from East Coast invader Counterparty Risk for the win.
A native of Sinaloa, Mexico, Gonzalez came to the United States in 2013 first to Turf Paradise. He soon moved his tack to Golden Gate Fields where he rode regularly until this summer beginning with the Del Mar meet where he rode 16 winners.
Gonzalez's weekly stats were 10-2-1-3 with purse earnings of $257,160.
Gonzalez out-polled fellow riders Flavien Prat who won two stakes at Santa Anita, Mike Smith who also won two stakes races at Santa Anita, Jevian Toledo with three stakes wins at Laurel and Edgard Zayas who led all jockeys in wins with nine.
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