A life in horse racing has allowed Vic Padilla to work in many capacities at the racetrack. Padilla can now add a new position to his resume as he has become only the third full-time starter in Remington Park history.
A mainstay as an assistant starter at Remington Park since 1998, Padilla has also worked as a valet in the jockeys' quarters, groomed horses, served as a jockey's agent and has also trained horses during his career. Growing up in Phoenix, Ariz., Padilla's parents trained horses at Turf Paradise. As a teenager, Padilla hoped to become a jockey. That plan was dashed by a growth spurt.
“I grew nine inches when I was 16, so that ended. Plus, my parents wanted me to finish high school, something they didn't do. I continued to gallop horses into my 30s before moving to the starting gate.”
Padilla was first an assistant starter, working in the gate with the horses to ensure the best beginning of a race possible, in 1980 at Turf Paradise. He has also worked at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, Sam Houston Race Park in Houston and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Becoming a starter was something Padilla was ready to accept. He also worked this summer's Lone Star Park season, his first as the full-time person hitting the button to open the starting gate doors.
Padilla, 58, resides in Edmond, Okla. with his wife Jodi.
Remington Park's 2020 Thoroughbred Season continues Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 & 29, with the first race nightly at 7pm-Central.
The post Vic Padilla Named Full-Time Starter At Remington Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
