SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022) – Talk about a finish. Jockey Joe Ramos scored eight wins in the last two days of racing to slip into the lead and take home the 2022 Leading Thoroughbred Jockey title at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Ramos scored 106 wins for the title with purses of more than $3 million during the 127-day racing season.
Ramos, a native of Puerto Rico, was the track’s Leading Apprentice Jockey in 2019. He has been among the track’s top 10 the past two seasons, moving up to fourth last year. This season, he battled for second as Jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. held the lead throughout most of the meet. The past two weeks, Ramos put together a big surge that placed him one win ahead of Pedroza Jr. on closing night aboard one of his favorite horses, the grey Nobody Listens for Trainer Tim Eggleston.
“I’m so blessed,” said Ramos. “I’m blessed to be healthy enough to be here and so grateful to all the outfits that had faith in me to give me the opportunities this year. Special thanks to my agent (Kerry “Bones” Wirth). I’m very blessed to do this and keep watching me because I’m going to keep doing it.”
Ramos remains in Indiana during the winter months to assist the Randy Klopp stable, one of his major barns at Horseshoe Indianapolis, with breaking babies. He plans to travel back and forth to ride at Turfway Park until racing resumes in Indiana in April of 2023.
“I want to say a special thanks to all the fans who support the racetracks,” added Ramos. “Thanks to the horsemen and the people who work at the track, too. We all work very hard to keep doing what we love.”
Ramos was joined by his mother, Glory Ramos, and his agent for the winner’s circle presentation by Chris Polzin, Director of Racing. The title is his second in Indiana and third overall. He also won the Leading Apprentice Jockey title at Belterra Park in 2019.
Photo by Coady Photography
