Jockey Alejandro Medellin rode seven winners at Zia Park on Monday, Nov. 5, a record for the Hobbs, New Mexico, racetrack. From nine mounts Medellin won the first seven races he rode followed by a second- and third-place finish. His victories came in five Thoroughbred races and two Quarter Horse races.
"I am very happy," Medellin said. "Everything went perfectly--good horses, good post positions, not many problems in the race."
Medellin, 36, who has been riding in the United States for five years since moving from his hometown of Mexico City, is one of the few jockeys adept at both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races.
"It's very different," he said. "[For Quarter Horses,] it's about the start and speed and keeping the horses under control. [For Thoroughbreds,] it's more relaxed, and you use your head more."
The record for most victories by a jockey on a single race card in the United States is nine wins by Eddie Castro at Calder Race Course in June 2005.
"Today was the day when everything fell out perfectly," Medellin's agent, Rick Evans, said. "We've been on the verge of having a good day, and it seemed like today we drew good and all the horses were good. He rode hard, and everything just got on a roll, and I think the confidence level seemed to get up."
