Showing no rust from a seven-year absence, jockey Joe Patin Jr. guided Mr Forestrey ($15.80) to victory in his first mount back in the second race April 25 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.
Patin, a 38-year-old native of Breaux Bridge, La., is one of five brothers who at one time were professional jockeys. They include Billy, K.C., Harry Lee, and George. Patin, who recorded his initial lifetime victory at Oaklawn Park in 1986, was the leading apprentice jockey at Birmingham Race Course, Jefferson Downs, and Louisiana Downs and was third in the nation behind Kent Desormeaux in total wins by an apprentice jockey in 1987.
Suspended in October of 1999 by the Louisiana State Racing Commission for violating their drug policy, Patin has been working as an exercise rider for Steve Asmussen and Keith Bourgeois since last fall prior to the commission reinstating his jockey’s license.
Said Patin “I can’t describe the feeling, after being away for so long, to finally ride again and win with my first mount back, I’m overwhelmed.” Patin added “He (Mr Forestrey) worked well last week and broke cleanly tonight and made an easy lead, I was able to get him to relax and when I asked him at the quarter-pole he responded nicely and drew clear.”
Mr Forestrey, a 5-year-old gelded son of Forestry, covered the mile in 1:41 3/5 on a track labeled sloppy. He’s owned by Norris Ceaser and trained by Joseph Angelle.
