Justin Squared Speeds to Chick Lang Victory
Undefeated Justin Squared retained that status with a front-running two-length victory in the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes on the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) undercard May 21.
Martin Pedroza
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Martin Pedroza
Pedroza Winningest Thoroughbred-Meet Rider at Los Al
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.
Private Zone to Florida for Rehabilitation
Good Friends Stable's multiple grade I winner Private Zone will get some rest and relaxation before commencing a 2016 campaign, co-owner and racing manager Rene Douglas said Dec. 1.
Private Zone Speeds to Forego Victory
Private Zone went out to the lead unchallenged in the seven-furlong Forego Stakes (gr. I) and remained there throughout to win by open lengths Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course.
Private Zone All the Way in Belmont Sprint
Private Zone aced the $400,000 Belmont Sprint Championship (gr. III) July 4 at Belmont Park, sprinting gate to wire in an easy 3 1/4-length triumph.
Private Zone Delivers in Churchill Downs
Private Zone won the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) Saturday, May 2 at the Louisville oval, holding off a stretch challenge from Nates Mineshaft. Bayern struggled in his 2015 debut.
Bayern Returns in Churchill Downs Stakes
Kaleem Shah's Bayern, last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner, will make his 4-year-old debut in the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) undercard May 2.
One Lucky Dane Impresses in 3-Year-Old Debut
After a disappointing sixth-place performance in last year's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), One Lucky Dane made his return to the Santa Anita Park oval a memorable one March 19.
Baltas, Pedroza Square Off at Los Alamitos
Jockey Martin Pedroza and trainer Richard Baltas will face a meeting with the stewards after reported verbal and physical confrontations at Los Alamitos Race Course Sunday, Dec. 21.
Private Zone Goes Wire to Wire in Cigar Mile
Private Zone, runner-up to Flat Out in the 2013 edition of the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), returned Nov. 29 to claim victory going wire to wire in the $753,750 event at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Private Zone Back in the Zone, Takes Vosburgh
Good Friend Stable's Private Zone, in his second start of the year, ran strongly to just pass Dads Cap at the wire to take the $400,000 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.
Pedroza Breaks Leg in Starting Gate Mishap
Jockey Martin Pedroza sustained a leg fracture and is to be sidelined for an indefinite period after a starting gate mishap aboard first-time starter Sargentina in the eighth and final race Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
All Blueskiesnrainbows in San Pasqual
There was no catching Blueskiesnrainbows Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park in a frontrunning win in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II).
O'Neill Enthused with Private Zone's Workout
Grade I winner Private Zone worked four furlongs on the Santa Anita Park main track Oct. 17 in a bullet :45 4/5 with regular rider Martin Pedroza aboard as he prepares for the $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint.
CA Invader Private Zone Lands Vosburgh
Southern California shipper Private Zone outfought favored Justin Phillip to win the $400,000 Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 28 by a neck at Belmont Park.
Nonios Zips Over Santa Anita Track
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sent Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Nonios to the track Oct. 30 for a four-furlong tuneup in preparation for the Nov. 3 World Championships and the colt responded with a bullet work.
Nonios Knocks Off Liaison in Stakes Debut
Nonios, making his stakes debut for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, overcame some early trouble to post a 15-1 upset by a half-length over Liaison in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park June 3.
44-1 Wilkinson Wakes Up for American Shocker
In search of firm turf, Wilkinson wound up in the Southern California barn of Jeff Mullins, who sent the 4-year-old colt out to spring a 44-1 shocker in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Via Villaggio Eclipses 'Moon for Railbird Win
Determined Via Villaggio advanced along the rail to challenge overwhelming favorite Sister Moon in the stretch, then held on for a half-length upset in the $98,000 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) at Betfair Hollywood Park May 19.
Willa B Awesome Delivers Santa Anita Stunner
Overlooked Willa B Awesome caught Reneesgotzip at the wire to post a 13-1 upset in the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks(gr. I) March 31 as odds-on choice Eden's Moon disappointed.
Willful Interference Costs Pedroza Seven Days
Santa Anita stewards have handed jockey Martin Pedroza a seven-day suspension after citing him for willfully riding to cause interference in the seventh race on March 4.
Dominguez Wins George Woolf Jockey Award
Two-time Eclipse Award winning jockey Ramon Dominguez has been selected as the 63rd winner of the prestigious Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.
Ultimate Eagle All Alone in Strub Triumph
Ultimate Eagle, a grade I winner on turf making his first start on dirt, won for fun in the $200,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) at odds of 7-1 Feb. 4 at Santa Anita.
Willa B Awesome Gets Grade in Santa Ysabel
Willa B Awesome hit the front early and was never headed as she snuck away to an 11-1 upset in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Jan. 28.
No Catching Ultimate Eagle in Hollywood Derby
Owner B.J. Wright and trainer Michael Pender capped their superb Turf Festival at Hollywood Park when front-running Ultimate Eagle employed thievery to win the $250,000 Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) at odds of 14-1 Nov. 27.
Finalists Named for 2012 Woolf Jockey Award
Ramon Dominguez, Corey Lanerie, Martin Pedroza, DeShawn Parker, and Scott Stevens are the finalists for the 63rd annual George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2012, Santa Anita Park announced Nov. 23.
34-1 Ultimate Eagle Aces Oak Tree Derby
Ultimate Eagle, staked to an early lead by Martin Pedroza at odds of 34-1, avoided the calvary charge in the 14-horse Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT) and held on to post a major upset in the $150,000 grass test at Santa Anita.
Jockeys In Del Mar Spill Return to Action
Three jockeys involved in a spill in the final race at Del Mar July 24 are returning to action without missing any time.
E Z Does It: Baffert Duo Tops Triple Bend
E Z's Gentleman, scraping paint for jockey Martin Pedroza, shook free in the homestretch to defeat his stablemate Sangaree and give trainer Bob Baffert the top two spots in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I).
Gomez Wins Money Title in Final Race
It came down to the last race of the year at Santa Anita, but Garrett Gomez notched his fourth straight national purse earnings title on Dec. 31.
Dramatic 'Anita Win for Grieving Family
Return of the King, the last horse owned by James Ortega, one of nine people slain in a Southern California massacre on Christmas Eve, scored a dramatic come-from-behind victory at Santa Anita Jan. 8.
Pedroza Wins Seven, Earns Milestone
Jockey Martin Pedroza won a record seven races on the opening day of Fairplex Park's meet Sept. 5 and in the process earned his 3,000th career victory.
Midnight Lute Tops Del Mar Mark in Work
Sprint champion Midnight Lute appears to be ready for his next start after working faster than the track record for seven furlongs on Del Mar's Polytrack racing surface Aug. 7.
Two Step Salsa Skips Away in Affirmed
Even-money choice Two Step Salsa passed his first distance test with flying colors in the $107,100 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park June 15, going all the way on the front end to score a 3 3/4-length win on the Cushion Track.
Stoneside Shakes Up San Simeon Handicap
Stoneside, a bit of a disappointment since being purchased privately in France by Marsha Naify last year, woke up in a big way when he easily captured the $112,400 San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita April 19.
Cheroot Cuts Way to Daytona Upset
Charlotte M. Wrather's Cheroot, a 28-1 outsider, squeezed through a narrow opening in the final stages to register a nose victory over Moth Ball in Santa Anita's $98,650 Daytona Handicap on the hillside turf course Feb. 17. Notional, sidelined since last March's second-place finish in the Florida Derby (gr. I), finished third in his comeback effort.
CHRB Cracks Down on Medici Code, Vienna
- By Jack Shinar
Trainer Darrell Vienna faces two complaints alleging that Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) winner Medici Code ran with excessive levels of clenbuterol in his system in the two races prior to the most important victory of his career.
Medici Code Cracks Del Mar Derby
Respect has been hard to come by for the lightly bred Medici Code, but after the way the Darrell Vienna-trained gelding mowed down his rivals in the $400,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) Sept. 2, that should change.
Medici Code Answers La Jolla Puzzle
Unheralded Medici Code got the stalking trip trainer Darrell Vienna was hoping for in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (gr. II) for 3-year-olds. The result was a convincing 1 1/4-length victory over a solid field on the Del Mar turf Aug. 11.
3 Jockeys Escape Serious Injury in Hollywood Spill
Three jockeys escaped serious injury at Hollywood Park May 17 when Royal Change, leading the field in the fourth race while approaching the quarter pole, suffered a fractured right foreleg and fell, tossing rider Alex Bisono.
Fairplex Meet Hurdles Handle Mark Again
- By Jack Shinar
Fairplex Park set a record for total handle during its 16-day run in 2006 that ended Sept. 25 when it averaged more than $7.1 million daily. It was the second straight year the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds racetrack surpassed its previous handle mark and the third time in the past four years.
Fast-Closing Genre Wins Wild Cinema BC
Genre, closing from far back, was along just in time when the apparent winner of the $128,200 Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT), New Joysey Jeff, lost rider Jose Valdivia Jr. in mid-stretch Sunday on the Hollywood Park turf course.
Charmo Breezes for Competitive Shoemaker
As trainer Julio Canani fidgeted, Charmo breezed four furlongs in :49 4/5 on turf Thursday under regular rider Martin Pedroza, the final step in the colt's preparations for Monday's $300,000 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park.
Star Parade Marches Again in Hawthorne 'Cap
After a disappointing effort in the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) one month ago, Gary Tanaka's veteran mare Star Parade returned to the familiar surroundings of Hollywood Park to capture the $100,000 Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) in determined front-running fashion Sunday.
Charmo's Late Burst Wins San Francisco Mile
Charmo stormed down the center of the track from the top of the stretch to nab favored Aragorn by a length in the $330,000 San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) on the Golden Gate Fields turf course Saturday.
Atlando Matches Stakes Mark in 'Obispo Win
Gary Tanaka's Irish-bred Atlando swept past entry mate King's Drama in mid-stretch, then held off the late surge of T.H. Approval to win the San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) in stakes record-tying time on the Santa Anita Park lawn Sunday.
Star Parade Glimmers Again in Santa Maria
Gary Tanaka's hard-hitting Star Parade suffered through a nine-race losing streak last year, but has now won her last two starts on the dirt after a two-length victory in the $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita Saturday.
Spellbinder Weaves Magic in San Antonio Win
Tough luck Spellbinder gained his first graded stakes victory Sunday when he defeated With Distinction by three-quarters of a length in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Pedroza Captures First Hollywood Riding Title
Jockey Martin Pedroza wrapped up the first major riding title of his 23-year career when he piloted California-bred Young Luck to win the fourth race at Hollywood Park closing day Dec. 19. The 40-year-old Pedroza, who finished the 27-day meet with 31 wins, became the oldest first-time title winner in the track's 67-year history.
Star Parade Displays Old Form, Wins Bayakoa
Gary Tanaka's Star Parade, winless in nine races since taking the Milady Breeders' Cup (gr. I) in July 2004, pushed past heavily favored Dream of Summer in the stretch and drew off to an easy win in Sunday's $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park.
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