panamanian jockeys | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mejia Taken Off Monmouth Park Mounts, Has Hearing Scheduled After Suspicious Photo Surfaces

Jockey Tomas Mejia was taken off his mounts this past weekend by order of the stewards at Monmouth Park and a hearing will be conducted on Sept. 15, presumably revolving around a suspicious photo that appears to show an object in the rider's left hand following a Sept. 3 comeback win at the Oceanport, N.J., track.

Mejia rode Colts Neck Stable's Strongerthanuknow to victory in the seventh race that day for trainer Jorge Duarte Jr., defeating 9-10 favorite Mumbai by a neck after rallying in deep stretch.

A photo of Mejia aboard the filly taken by the track photographer was posted on Monmouth Park's Facebook page commemorating the fact it was his first mount since being injured in a July 25 spill at Monmouth. The photo was subsequently removed after officials were alerted to what appeared to be an object in Mejia's left hand, but a copy of the photo was also circulating on Twitter.

The New Jersey Racing Commission does not permit its stewards to talk to the media and a spokesperson for the commission did not respond to a query on Sept. 10 about the reason for the Sept. 15 hearing. A track spokesperson also declined to comment. Mejia's agent, Robert Tuccille, did not respond to phone calls or voice messages from Paulick Report.

Mejia, a native of Panama and graduate of that country's Laffit Pincay Jr. jockey academy, won two additional races over the Labor Day weekend, winning with three of 10 total mounts. With 19 wins from 149 mounts at the current meet, he ranks ninth among Monmouth Park jockeys in that category. He's won a total of 110 races in the U.S. since 2018, when he arrived from Panama, where he was the leading apprentice. His most noteworthy victory came last Sept. 13 when he rode 158-1 longshot Andrez Conquist to a victory that established a new Monmouth Park record for a $2 parimutuel win payoff of $319.80.

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New Face, Familiar One Find Gulfstream Park Winner’s Circle On Sunday

A rising star in Panama, jockey Jose Morelos notched his first victory in the United States Sunday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The 20-year-old jockey, who had ridden 503 winners in Panama after launching his career at the age of 16, guided Wild Cat West ($12.40) to victory in Race 5, a mile maiden race for $12,500 claimers.

“I'm very grateful to the trainer for giving me the opportunity,” Morelos said through an interpreter. “I'm looking forward to a lot of better things to come in the future.”

Morelos saved ground aboard the Luis Ramirez trainee while rating behind a contested pace into the homestretch turn. Wildcat Cat West, who lacked room entering the stretch, was taken four wide for the stretch drive, and the son of Mineshaft kicked in through the stretch to graduate by a neck.

Morelos' victory came on his 10th mount since his U.S. debut April 1. Jay Rushing is his agent.

Sutherland Guides Mona Stella to Gulfstream Feature Win
Chantal Sutherland reacquainted herself with the Gulfstream Park winner's circle after riding Mona Stella to a comfortable victory in Sunday's Race 6 feature, a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance on turf for 3-year-old Florida-bred fillies.

Sutherland connected for her first victory on her fifth mount since relocating to Gulfstream for the Spring/Summer Meet.

“I've gotten a lot of positive energy from people and I'm grateful to the people who are supporting me,” said Sutherland, who rode at Gulfstream in 2006 before going on to achieve considerable success in Southern California. “There's no more beautiful place to ride than here.”

Mona Stella ($6.60) is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone and trainer Patrick Biancone.

Sutherland , who saved ground aboard Mona Stella while racing directly behind pacesetter Big Band Luzzian into the stretch, eased the daughter of Will Take Charge off the rail for the stretch drive. Mona Stella, who had graduated in her second career start on Sept. 29 before going to the sidelines to have a chip removed, kicked in through the stretch to score by 2 ¾ lengths.

“I think this is a nice filly,” Sutherland said. “She only won a maiden race [before Sunday] but this was really impressive.”

Sutherland has won 1084 races, including multiple Grade 1 victories aboard Game On Dude in 2001.

Thursday's Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $500,000
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $500,000 for Thursday's program at Gulfstream Park.

The jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

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Panamanian Alexander Chavez Rides First U.S. Winner At Laurel

Corrales Racing's Car Lady accelerated through an opening along the rail and sped off with a last-to-first victory in Saturday's opener at Laurel Park in Maryland, giving jockey Alexander Chavez his first win in the United States.

Bred by Andy Stronach and trained by owner Jose Corrales, Car Lady ($7) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.22 over a fast main track to win the claiming event for older fillies and mares by 7 ¾ lengths, her second career victory.

Chavez, 22, had been riding at Presidente Remon racetrack in his native Panama before coming to the U.S. Car Lady, a 4-year-old daughter of Grade 1 winner Colonel John, was his first mount.

“It was a dream to be able to ride in the United States, and today the dream came true,” Chavez said through an interpreter. “It feels very good. I am very happy.”

Car Lady trailed the field through a half-mile, saving ground on both turns as Walk It Out Nanny posted splits of 24.40 and 49.49 seconds. Chavez stayed patient nearing the stretch and put Car Lady in cruise control as they opened up on their rivals once in the clear.

“The whole way around I felt like I could win the race,” Chavez said. “I had plenty of horse.”

In his only other mount Saturday, Chavez finished fourth on Corrales owned-and-trained Tatica, a 30-1 long shot, in Race 4, a 5 ½-furlong maiden claimer for 3-year-old fillies. He is named in three of nine races Sunday at Laurel, all for Corrales.

Chavez said he began riding horses at age 8 and was introduced to the track by a former jockey in Panama, ultimately attending its famed Laffit Pincay Jr. riding academy. An uncle at home was friends with fellow Panamanian Corrales, leading to their introduction.

“I was watching the races in Panama and loved Laurel Park, so I came directly here,” Chavez said. “Jose is the first trainer to help me here, but I would love to ride for everybody.”

“I love it here,” he added. “My dream is to stay here and do well.”

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