After rising to the top in the Mid-Atlantic region, especially at Philadelphia's Parx Racing for several years, jockey Kendrick Carmouche has decided to stay at Gulfstream Park this winter.
"I did the best I could at (Parx) and made a good name for myself. I thought it was time to move and look at the bigger picture," said the 29-year-old native of Vinton, La. "I've got to get out there and get it. It only gets tougher from here."
Carmouche has ridden one winner from 14 mounts heading into Gulfstream's Dec. 15 program, guiding Goodtimehadbyall to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $110,000 Claiming Crown Rapid Transit a week earlier. Trainer Jorge Navarro has been an early supporter of Carmouche.
"When you come down here, you have to have a couple of outfits to push you. It's going to be a task the first couple of weeks or a month," Carmouche said. "I have no complaints. Life is good. I'm out there every day working, hoping for the best."
Carmouche has ridden 2,428 winners since beginning his career in his hometown track, Delta Downs, in 2000. The winner of multiple titles at Parx, he has ridden more than 200 winners in each of the past six years.
"I didn't think so many people knew me. I guess when you win a lot of races, people notice you. They want to win as much as I do," Carmouche said. "I hope they see what other people saw in me the first 13 years of my career and give me a chance. "
A seasoned rider, Carmouche is ready for the challenge of riding against the world's best jockeys this winter.
"I'm pretty versatile now. I love the grass; I love coming from behind; I love being on the lead; I like doing what the trainer wants me to do," he said. "No longer is it a case of getting nervous riding in a big race against the big riders. I've done that. Now, I'm more relaxed and that helps a rider become successful, and that's where I'm at right now in my career."