SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 19, 2019) – Marcelino Pedroza Jr. has separated himself from the rest of the jockeys this season en route to his second leading jockey title at Indiana Grand. The top jockey in 2017, Pedroza currently has 119 wins heading into the final 27 racing programs of 2019 and with one record already on the books, he has the capability of adding his name to another record this season.
Pedroza’s already stellar season took it a step further Thursday, Sept. 5 when he guided six winners home out of eight Thoroughbred races on the card. He followed up that record-setting day with four more winners Friday, Sept. 6. Those 10 wins solidified his position atop the standings this season and in the process, adding his name to the record books for most wins recorded by a jockey of any breed on one program at Indiana Grand.
“You always look at the program and think you could win two or three, but to win six, that was so great,” said Pedroza. “I’ve never had six wins in one day in my life, so it was my personal record. I didn’t know it was a record for Indiana Grand too.”
Pedroza’s personal record was five wins in one day, a feat he had accomplished twice in the past at Indiana Grand and once at Turfway Park. He followed up that record setting day with four more wins the following afternoon.
“That was the other thing,” added Pedroza. “The horses on Friday’s program looked okay in the program and I had been waiting for that day hoping to get some winners. The six-win day was a bit of a surprise for me. I was blessed to win five that day and to be honest, I was feeling a little pressure heading into my last win that day. When I got that last win, it felt so good. That’s why I was so excited.”
Pedroza added a few more wins over the next week before a mishap heading to the track in the first race Wednesday, Sept. 11 resulted in Pedroza being unseated and experiencing an ankle injury. A week off was all he needed to recuperate from that setback and Pedroza made his presence known on his first day back Tuesday, Sept. 17, winning four of five races on the day.
“I felt really happy to come back the first day and win four out of five,” said Pedroza. “I had a sprained ankle and my family really stepped up and took care of me. Even the kids helped. Anytime I needed ice for my ankle, they were right there to help. My agent John (Herbstreit) has been supportive of me too.”
Pedroza has 119 wins and more than $2.6 million heading into the final 27 racing programs at Indiana Grand. Although the record for most wins in a season is a little elusive for him to catch, which is 158 wins set by Malcolm Franklin in 2013, the earnings record in one season by a jockey is very feasible for Pedroza to achieve. The current record is $3,146,193 set by Fernando De La Cruz in 2016. With a plethora of stakes races left in 2019 at Indiana Grand, purse money could rack up quickly. Pedroza has already moved into third place on the list of all-time leading jockeys in purse money with an excess of $11.5 million accumulated and counting. He joins Rodney Prescott, Fernando De La Cruz, Leandro Goncalves and Malcolm Franklin as the only jockeys to ever top $10 million in total purse earnings in the 17-year history of racing at Indiana Grand.
Pedroza plans to spend the winter again at Fair Grounds where he is among the track’s top 10 riders. He and his wife, Rosie, own a home in Louisville, Ky., but plans are to return to Indiana Grand next spring.
“That’s the plan right now, Fair Grounds and back to Indiana Grand,” added Pedroza. “There is talk of racing in Kentucky during the winter, but that won’t be until next year, so that might be an option.”
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