16-year-old Marquez Wins First Race as a Jockey
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Photo: Maryland Jockey Club
Charlie Marquez at Laurel Park
Racing first off the claim for trainer Phil Schoenthal's Kingdom Bloodstock, Sierra Leona rallied from third for a three-quarter-length triumph Jan. 9 at Laurel Park as 16-year-old apprentice jockey Charlie Marquez earned his first professional win in the day's second race.
According to Equibase statistics, it was the eighth mount of the year following seven amateur races in 2019 for Marquez, who previously earned six placings.
Sierra Leona ($13.60) won the one-mile claiming event for fillies and mares ages 4 and up in 1:39.37 over a fast main track.
"It feels amazing. I'm only 16; it's a lot to digest," Marquez said. "But I'm glad I'm here and I'm thankful for all the opportunities been given to me. This means so much to me."
Marquez settled Sierra Leona in third as Hay Baby Girl went the opening quarter-mile in 24.57 seconds before Music Maker took over and went a half in 48.80 and six furlongs in 1:13.97. After coming under pressure on the turn, Marquez took Sierra Leona inside and came with a steady run to pass horses and edge clear inside the sixteenth pole.
Charlie Marquez in the winner’s circle with Sierra Leona and connections
"I've been riding my whole life, in the pony races and riding over jumps," Marquez said. "I've done a whole bunch of different things, so this is an honor to be a professional now and finally win my first race."
Marquez rode in seven amateur races in 2019, three at Laurel and four at Parx Racing, with two seconds and two thirds.
This year, he had two thirds in seven mounts before recording his first win, and then later on Thursday finished sixth on Greely Is Back in his ninth ride of 2020.
From Columbia, Md., just 10 miles from Laurel, Marquez is the son of 52-year-old Carlos Marquez Jr., a top rider in Illinois who counts multiple graded-stakes wins among his 3,150 career races. His father rode earlier this month at Camarero in Puerto Rico.
His grandfather, Carlos Marquez Sr., also was a successful rider who taught at Puerto Rico's famed Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school.
The teen-aged Marquez plans to finish his secondary education at home as he pursues his riding career.
"I'm turning in (forms) to get home schooled, but there's no way I'm dropping out. I need school just in case anything happens," he said. "I owe everything to my mom. My mom has taught me everything that I know. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without her.
"(Thanks to) all the trainers that give me chances to win races. It's a very emotional thing for me because it's my first win ever."