Today is June 13, 2026, and we’re diving into the exhilarating world of horse racing right here in sunny Florida. Our focus today is on a rising star in the racing scene, a talented jockey who has made a mark at Gulfstream Park. Born on October 1, 1994, in Chorrera, Panama, he now calls Hallandale, FL, home. With a career that’s blossomed over the past few years, this jockey has quite the story to tell!
During the 2020-2021 Championship Meet, he secured 8th place in wins and 9th in earnings—pretty impressive, right? The previous year wasn’t too shabby either; he ranked 14th in wins. His notable victories include the Glass Slipper with Descente and the Sunshine Sprint aboard Cajun Brother, who also snagged 3rd place in the Gulfstream Sprint (G3). Not to mention, he landed in the top 3 for both earnings and wins during Gulfstream’s Summer Meet in 2021. Talk about a hot streak!
Career Highlights and Milestones
His success didn’t happen overnight. He won two-thirds of the 2020 Florida Sire Stakes with Princess Secret, and during the 2018-19 Championship Meet, he was in the top 10 in wins and top 12 in earnings. His journey began with his first starter in the U.S., Toro Femme, who finished 7th on November 9, 2014, at Gulfstream Park West. Just six days later, he celebrated his first victory with K B Biorhythms. And let’s not forget how he dominated Gulfstream Park, winning 2 out of 4 races on December 7, 2014—what a debut!
After graduating from the Laffit Pincay Jr. Riding School in Panama, he really hit the ground running. In 2017, he surpassed his own career highs with 124 wins and $3 million in earnings. That’s a lot of horse power! And the accolades didn’t stop there; he continued to rack up wins, including multiple stakes victories like the Hollywood Beach Stakes and the FSS Dr. Fager with Cajun Firecracker.
Recent Races and Exciting Developments
On the same day as the thrilling Florida Panthers game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Rated by Merit clinched victory in the $200,000 Florida Sire Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream Park by an impressive 3 3/4 lengths! This horse is turning heads, remaining undefeated in three career starts. Owned by Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable and trained by Michael Yates, Rated by Merit has shown incredible potential, winning previous races by staggering margins. His next challenge? The In Reality, a two-turn race that’s sure to be a spectacle.
Meanwhile, another contender, Win N Your In, triumphed in the $200,000 Florida Sire Susan’s Girl Stakes, finishing 4 1/2 lengths ahead. Ridden by Miguel Vásquez and trained by Carlos David, this horse completed the seven-furlong distance in just 1:25.23. Earlier in the season, Win N Your In had a rough start but bounced back with style, proving that perseverance pays off. The excitement continues to build as we look forward to the series finale on November 30 with the $400,000 My Dear Girl.
For more stats and insights, you can check out the detailed information at Equibase. And if you’re curious about upcoming events at Gulfstream Park, don’t forget to visit Gulfstream Park’s official site.
With so much action and so many stories to tell, the world of horse racing in Florida is as vibrant and dynamic as ever. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into the sport, there’s always something exciting happening at Gulfstream Park!