In a sport awash in numbers, Pablo Morales was determined to push a big one to the back of his mind at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.
“I knew I could get it (career victory No. 2,500) today, so coming here the only thing I was thinking about before the race was to enjoy the moment,” Morales said after a thrilling, come-from-behind head victory aboard 4-year-old gelding Roger McQueen in the second race secured the milestone. “As I was putting my goggles down, I was taking it all in.
“I was thinking I could win, but I was thinking about the journey.”
Fortunately, in terms of the way the race developed, Morales didn't over-think things. He got a good position stalking pace-setters Bode by You and Imperial Bird early in the 5 ½-furlong, $12,500 claiming event, then began to despair after those two sprinted away through an opening quarter-mile in 21.63 seconds and the half in 44.90.
“Oh, man, I really thought I wasn't going to get there” at the 1/8-mile pole, Morales said. “I was handcuffed without being able to whip, because I had used my 6-strike limit just trying to keep up with the leaders because they were going so fast.
“All I could do the last eighth of a mile was hand-ride him as hard as I could,” Morales added. “The (runner-up, Bode by You) ran a great race, but he got a little tired and I was able to pick up the pieces.”
Roger McQueen, a stakes winner as a 2-year-old, improved to 3-for-8 lifetime. Owned by Carolyn Wilson and trained by Larry Rivelli, Roger McQueen was claimed from the race by new owner-trainer Juan Arriagada.
Morales, a 34-year-old Lima, Peru product who is second in the Oldsmar standings to Samy Camacho with 36 victories, appears to be in the prime of his career. He rode 210 winners in 2022, the fourth time in the last six years he has won 200 or more races. He earned his eighth riding title at Presque Isle Downs last year with 134 winners, 58 more than runner-up Antonio Gallardo.
Morales credits his strong support system, which includes his family and his agent, former jockey Paula Bacon, for his ongoing success.
“My family (wife Erin and children Sophia and Camilo) are my main motivation. They are my everything, and I hope I'm making them proud,” he said. “Paula, I have so many good things to say about. I have to have more than 1,000 wins with her. We work well together, we're friends and she has my best interests in mind. We care about each other, on the racetrack and away from it.”
Morales wasn't done thanking people, not quite. “All the support I've gotten from owners and trainers has been huge, and the fans have been great to me these past few years. They've been nothing but kind to me,” he said.
The post ‘Thinking About The Journey’: Pablo Morales Celebrates 2,500th Win At Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
