Jockey Eduardo Nunez, a mainstay on the South Florida circuit since 1986, became the all-time winning rider of the Calder meet at Calder Race Course June 4 when he guided Alter’s Racing Stable’s 3-year-old filly With Moms Blessing to victory in the fifth race.
It was Calder meet win number 1,311 for Nunez, who surpassed retired jockey Gene St. Leon, the longtime all-time leader of the meet with 1,310 wins. Nunez, 43, is originally from Panama and came to the United States in 1986. He has consistently ranked among the top riders in South Florida each year and is currently third in the local standings.
“I've been riding here at Calder for a long time now and, even though I am always ranked high in the standings, I have never won any riding titles, which kind of made me feel like I hadn't accomplished what I wanted to,” said Nunez after achieving the milestone. “To be the all-time leading rider at Calder makes up for that.
“A couple of years ago, when we started to pay attention to where I stood in the all-time standings, I said that was a long way to go, so we’ll see what happens. Then as I got closer and closer, I started to get excited at the possibility of having that distinction and I've been really wanting this to happen.
“There are a lot of owners and trainers that have helped me over the years, too many to mention, but without their help, I would never have been able to accomplish this and I want to thank them all for their support.
“I also want to thank Alfredo Smith Jr., who was my first agent and mentor, as well as the first person at the racetrack who believed in me. And I especially thank my current agent Roger Velez, who has been with me for the last eight years.”