Gallardo enjoying banner year at Calder

When jockey Antonio Gallardo scored four stakes victories out of six stakes

races on the card during the Juvenile Showcase at Calder on August 24, he not

only broke the Calder record for most stakes victories in one day, but also

raised the bar by earning the four victories in a row.

"I'm so happy," Gallardo said. "You feel good because you see your hard work

coming together."

The 26-year-old has only been riding in the United States on a full-time

basis since 2009, but has already exploded on the Florida circuit as a

multiple-stakes winning jockey. The native of Spain made his U.S. debut in 2008,

where he also had a successful career as a multiple stakes-winning rider.

In 2013 alone, Gallardo has 64 victories from 388 starts and $1,315,655 in

earnings, making this the best year of his U.S. career. Previously, his best

year came in 2012 when he reached 42 victories in 383 starts and earnings of

$844,778. He should soon surpass the 200-win mark in the United States, as he

presently has 185 victories thus far.

"When I came here, I came as a jockey, not as an apprentice. That is more

difficult," Gallardo said. "The first few years you need to work hard. You set a

foundation to reap what you sow. I am lucky. I have people that helped me."

Trainers Tammy Levy, Kathleen O'Connell, and Kirk Ziadie are some of those

who've helped Gallardo and given him a chance since his arrival stateside.

Gallardo, in return, has ridden many of their Thoroughbreds to victory.

Three of Gallardo's four stakes wins last Saturday came on O'Connell's

horses. After winning the Lindsay Frolic Stakes aboard Flat Out Charming for

trainer Rodolfo Garcia, Gallardo scored three-straight trips to the winner's

circle for O'Connell. He won aboard Secret Kitten in the Catcharisingstar

Stakes, then swept both legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series' second

round, crossing the wire in front aboard Scandalous Act in the Susan's Girl

division and My Brown Eyed Guy in the Affirmed division.

"Saturday's feat was by far my favorite moment so far in my U.S. career,"

Gallardo said. "It is tough. You can win four races but four stakes -- it is

very, very difficult."

Earlier this year, Gallardo scored stakes victories with Flatter This in the

Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs for O'Connell, as well as R Free Roll in

the Unbridled Stakes at Calder for trainer Ralph Ziadie.

"I want to say thank you to the people who trust me like my agent (Yamil

Mayo), my friends, and the trainers who have faith in me," Gallardo said.

While in Europe, Gallardo raced primarily in Spain, but also rode in England

and France. He started off show jumping before switching to race riding. He even

won stakes races in the unique beach race riding that is held in Spain, which he

grew up attending with his family. Gallardo is one of the few jockeys in the

entire United States who is from Spain, which has added to the challenges that

Gallardo faced upon his arrival here. 

"It is tough," Gallardo said. "When I came here everybody asked, 'Where are

you from?' When you say 'Spain', everybody looks at you and says, 'Spain? Spain

has races?' They see Spain as more for bull (fighting and the running of the

bulls). They do not give you a chance. There is not enough recognition (for

jockeys from Spain) so they are scared to come. It is very difficult."

Gallardo was hesitant to come to the United States to ride, but was pushed by

Jennifer Bidgood. He was working for her at the time when she bought him a

ticket to Miami. Jorge Gomez, a journalist for A Galopar, a horse racing

publication in Spain, also supported Gallardo's move to this country.

Gallardo would love for his success to help encourage riders from Spain to

come to the United States, and hopes that riders from Spain will receive more

respect when they arrive.

Gallardo hopes to add to his successes. He has goals of reaching the biggest

stage of Thoroughbred racing by running in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup,

while continuing to focus on his growing family.

Gallardo and his wife, Polliana, will celebrate their first wedding

anniversary this month. The native of Brazil has worked many years for trainer

David Fawkes as an exercise rider, and is now pregnant with the couples' second

child.

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