Johanis Aranguren knew what was coming as she strode to the jockeys’ room after winning the first race today on 38-1 shot Bourbon State. And she was eager to enjoy every moment.
The 22-year-old apprentice jockey from Caracas, Venezuela was initiated by her fellow riders after posting a head victory in the mile-and-a-sixteenth claiming race in a three-horse photo finish – getting several buckets of water dumped on her head, sprayed with shaving cream and sprinkled with baby powder.
She never stopped smiling, even after she looked as if she’d jumped into a swimming pool.
“I’m very happy and thankful for the opportunity from the trainer (Alejandro Mendieta, who also owns the 4-year-old gelding), and I give thanks to God,” she said through interpreter Samy Camacho, a fellow jockey. “I had a lot of faith in this horse.”
Camacho, who finished fourth in the 10-horse field on pace-setter Final Drama, informed Aranguren as they were galloping out that her 4-year-old gelding had gotten his head in front of If I Were You at the wire. Stone Cold Flex was another neck back in third. Bourbon State paid $79.80 to win.
“I didn’t know I won, and when he told me I got very excited,” Aranguren said.
Mendieta’s instructions before the race were to try to break well and get Bourbon State involved in the action. Through the stretch, Aranguren asked her horse to split horses and he responded willingly, delighting longshot players.
“She’s ridden him a couple of times in the morning, and I like her style of riding,” Mendieta said. “You like to use the ‘bug’ (apprentice) riders because of the weight allowance, but she rode this horse very smart, got him in good position and gave him a chance to win.”
Aranguren was riding only her 15th race in the United States, having started last summer at Gulfstream Park. Now that her first victory and all that goes with it is behind her, she hopes more doors will open as she pursues her career path.
Who knows – the next victory might be just as thrilling.
