With 21 wins through 34 racing days, veteran jockey Martin Pedroza
has his highest total in 15 years and is on the verge of a personal
record for a Del Mar meeting.
Twenty-one victories in 1996 and 20 in 1999 are the recorded highs
for the 46-year-old native of Panama in more than 20 years of riding at
Del Mar.
“Not getting hurt and being able to go for the full meeting,” is a
major factor in Pedroza’s 2011 success, agent Richie Silverstein said.
The others are hard work, persistence and help from a variety of
trainers.
“Peter Miller is probably the biggest name trainer we ride for,”
Silverstein said. “It’s been through the smaller (stable) guys like Tom
Blincoe, Mike Pender, Carl O’Callaghan, Dallas Keen and a couple others
that we’ve been able to get some good horses and good opportunities.”
Pedroza has long been one of the most successful riders at the
Fairplex Park meeting which follows Del Mar. But given the success,
Silverstein said his wish would be the Del Mar meeting go a little
longer.
“Absolutely,” he said. “You get one win a day here, with a $65,000
purse, you’d have to get three or four a day (for the equivalent) at
Pomona. The fans have been great here, the racing has been great.
Whenever you’re doing well you don’t wish a meeting to ever end.”