Unwavering Optimism Helped Santos to Top
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Jose Santos began riding at the tender age of 14. After competing in his native Chile and then Colombia, he came to the United States with high hopes in 1984. Eight months after his arrival, he was in despair.
Business at the Florida tracks was bad; his spirits were worse.
“I was not doing anything,” he said. “I had tough times.”
His ability, though, had not gone completely unnoticed. P.J. Simms, a trainer in search of a rider he could depend on, spotted his potential.
“You help me,” he told Santos, “and I will help you.”