News
Mojica Goes for Third Straight Title
Orlando Mojica will go for his third straight jockey title and his fourth overall at Hoosier Park. The native of Puerto Rico, won the titles in 2007 and 2008 and moved into the top five on the all-time list of riders for victories at Hoosier Park. With more than 300 wins, Mojica also secured the jockey title at Hoosier Park in 2003. A fourth title in 2009 would make him the only jockey to ever accomplish that number in the 15-year history of the track. Mojica and Jon Court currently have three titles each.
Mojica left Hoosier Park last fall and competed in the Clasico del Caribe Jockey Challenge in his native Puerto Rico. The event brings the best jockeys in from all of the countries that border the Gulf of Mexico and Mojica won the title for Puerto Rico in his first year of competition in the prestigious event. His momentum has continued throughout the winter and spring months, finishing third at Turfway Park and winning his second consecutive title at Indiana Downs. Mojica is also currently leading the standings at Ellis Park after the first two weeks of racing. Mojica comes into Hoosier Park with 157 wins in 2009 to be ranked ninth in the country among all riders.
“It would be nice to come back and do well and I’d love to try to be leading jockey again,” said Mojica. “The competition is going to be tough this year because the money’s good and there are a couple of new trainers and jockeys. My agent (Jimmy McNerney) is a good agent and he works hard. We work well together and make a good team, so I’ll do the best I can. Every year it can change and it’s a different story. I hope to continue to do well, but I don’t worry about it.”
Mojica will be joined by several other jockeys who have fared well over the past few years at Hoosier Park, including Victor Lebron, Tommy Pompell, Leandro Goncalves, and Rodney Prescott, all top five riders from 2008. New riders hitting the Indiana circuit this year include Nelson Arroyo of Puerto Rico, apprentice rider Frederic Lenclud of France, and Jesse Garcia, who was a member of the initial jockey colony in 1995.
Steve Manley returns as the defending trainer champ. Manley earned his first training title in 2008, topping the charts with 37 wins over Barbara McBride and Ralph Martinez, who finished second and third consecutively. Manley ended Martinez’s run of leading trainer titles at Hoosier Park. Martinez won five straight years from 2003 through 2007. The top three trainers from last year will return in 2009 with the addition of some new faces.
Several new trainers are also ready for action at Hoosier Park this season, including Chicago-based stables Francine Faraci-Walder, Mark Cristel, and Hector Magano. Kentucky-based trainer Tom Amoss will also compete on a regular basis in Indiana this year.
Hoosier Park Racing and Casino will offer racing five days a week Wednesday through Sunday. Post times Wednesday and Thursday are set a little earlier this year, beginning at 4:45 p.m. while Friday through Sunday will offer afternoon racing beginning at 12:45 p.m. The meet will conclude Saturday, Oct. 24, one month earlier than in the past.
