Pedroza Winningest Thoroughbred-Meet Rider at Los Al
Image:
Description:
Photo: Courtesy of Los Alamitos
Martin Pedroza rides Justin Squared to victory April 21 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Jockey Martin Pedroza became Los Alamitos Race Course's winningest rider in Thoroughbred meets April 21, when he directed Zayat Stables' Justin Squared to a gate-to-wire victory in a six-furlong allowance race.
The win was the second of the three-week spring meet for Pedroza and his 87th overall, giving him sole possession of a top spot he entered Thursday sharing with Frank Olivares. The victory total includes Orange County Fair meets from 1977-91 and does not include totals from nighttime Thoroughbred races during Los Alamitos' Quarter Horse meets.
"I felt like I should have so many races already at this meet,'' said Pedroza, a 50-year-old native of Panama who is also the all-time leader at the now-closed Fairplex Park. "You just have to keep trying.
"I've been riding here for a long time, so this means a lot to me. I appreciate every track.''
Making his first start since a 5 1/2-length debut victory Sept. 5 at Del Mar, Justin Squared, a 3-year-old Zensational colt, broke a step slowly, but recovered quickly to immediately assume command and was never seriously menaced in the 1 3/4-length victory over Mrazek Thursday.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Justin Squared finished the six furlongs in 1:08.46.