Julio Garcia

[Swaps1955]

Could anyone give me some information on the jockey Julio Garcia riding at Hollywood Park? Is he the same Garcia who rode hear a few years back and then went back to Puerto Rico for whatever reason?

[louis finochio]

Yes Julio Garcia is the same jocky that rode here over 20 years ago as a bug boy. After his divorce he went back home to PR, then came back to ride here for Del Mar in 04.

Julio Garcia is a talented rider but is not getting an opportunity to ride live mounts.

[Swaps1955]

Thanks, Louis. I didn't realize it was that long ago he came here. Didn't he ride here about 3-5 years ago and return to Puerto Rico?

You're right about his being very talented, but not getting the mounts.

[Des]

Julio was riding on the Florida circuit for a while before he left for California.

[Swaps1955]

Thanks for the info! I believe he's the jockey who rode at Santa Anita a couple years ago and then returned to Puerto Rico. I didn't remember that he had been here (S.A.) 20 years ago. Maybe I got him confused with someone else.

[Jorge]

Julio Garcia: One of the best PR jockeys, ever!
Not that lucky though.

John Velazquez: One of the best PR jockeys, ever!
Yes very lucky.

[cewright]

Jorge - There are two Medina boys riding at Lone Star this meet who hail from PR. I understand J Medina was a leading rider there. His younger brother(?) A Medina still has his bug. They both act very hungry!

Regards

Chuck

[Jorge]

Quite arguably the best 10 PR jockeys:

1. Angel Cordero (The best in terms of achievements)
2. John R. Velsquez (Very very talented and blessed with good opportunities)
3. Miguel A. Rivera (Very smart jockey. Little Current -- Preakness, Belmont)
4. Eddie Belmonte (Excellent jockey. Personality -- 1970 Preakness)
5. Manuel Caraballo (As talented as Cordero but never wanted to explore going to the Mainland. Super veteran jockey who extended his career and died in a starting gate accident in the lesser Antilles a few years ago.)
6. Julio Garcia (Very talented jockey. Wish more health for him.)
7. Ruben Colon (Very very talented era jockey. Eventually a Preacher.)
8. Alexis Feliciano (Very very talented era jockey.)
9. Juan Carlos Diaz (Present era talented jockey.)
10. Carlos Lopez (Chuck's father and a very talented era jockey.)

There are many many others but in a 20 roster list these are
the "must-be-there" household names.

[Jorge]

in re Manuel Caraballo:

http://www.horseracingnews.net/horse-ra ... -death.php

[Jorge]

I did not include another outstading jockey who broke and kept the record for various years for most wins by an apprentice in PR during the early sixties. He left PR more than 45 years ago. Most probably, he is the most longeve active PR jockey. His name is Gilberto Cappacetti, who is in his 60's and still competing in Philadelphia Park. Even Gilberto's dad is amazingly sharp with over 90 years old. Gilberto's grandfather was also longeve and died in his mid 90's. Who knows if Gilberto may break the all time modern record held by that Argentinian great, Irineo Leguisamo, who officially rode in his early 70's.

Great for Gilberto Cappacetti

[Jorge]

Fidel "Galleguito" Iglesias was another
talented Puerto Rican jockey from the 1960s.
A famous PR-bred horse was named
as a tribute to him: "Galleguito I" (by Battle Morn)

[Jorge]

GALLEGUITO I (Chestnut H 1961) http://www.pedigreequery.com/galleguito+i

Take a look at the photo and who is the jockey on top of him.

[Jorge]

in re Manuel Caraballo:

LINK CORRECTION:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/h ... allo_x.htm

[TJ]

Julio A. Garcia is listed to ride today at Gulfstream Park. I first met him when he walked in the back gate at Aqueduct, some 29 or 30 years ago. A friend, Heliodoro Gustines (an ex-jock who had a reputation as the best turf rider in America during his racing career) had his book at that time. Currently it seems, Wesley Ward (another ex-rider) is helping him out and riding him often. He's using him today to ride in two stakes races.
Julio is a very good guy, but had personal problems that kept him from reaching the status he deserved as a jockey. He is a natural born rider, who broke all of Angel Cordero's records in Puerto Rico. Most recently (a year or so back) he was in a bind when detained in Jersey for failure to pay child support. It's obvious that is now rectified since he is back riding again. He is a money rider (especially the last 10 years) and many went to him when they needed a flawless ride going for all the marbles:>) I wish him well today and always. He's on a nice horse in todays GRIII Swale (Drafted) and an OK horse in the GRIII Herecomesthebride (Sweet Shirley Mae)....Sweet Shirley Mae is entered MTO, she won't race unless it comes off the turf. TJ

[apexseal]

Quite arguably the best 10 PR jockeys:

1. Angel Cordero (The best in terms of achievements)
2. John R. Velsquez (Very very talented and blessed with good opportunities)
3. Miguel A. Rivera (Very smart jockey. Little Current -- Preakness, Belmont)
4. Eddie Belmonte (Excellent jockey. Personality -- 1970 Preakness)
5. Manuel Caraballo (As talented as Cordero but never wanted to explore going to the Mainland. Super veteran jockey who extended his career and died in a starting gate accident in the lesser Antilles a few years ago.)
6. Julio Garcia (Very talented jockey. Wish more health for him.)
7. Ruben Colon (Very very talented era jockey. Eventually a Preacher.)
8. Alexis Feliciano (Very very talented era jockey.)
9. Juan Carlos Diaz (Present era talented jockey.)
10. Carlos Lopez (Chuck's father and a very talented era jockey.)

There are many many others but in a 20 roster list these are
the "must-be-there" household names.

I know its early to be included in that list above, but everyone should be in the lookout for Irad Ortiz Jr, who is riding extremely well in the NY circuit. So far he's been doing everything right!! A natural born rider, just as Julio Garcia is.