Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. earned his 1,000th career win aboard Rustler Hustler in
Thursday’s
9TH
race at Gulfstream Park. The milestone came as part of a three-win day,
beginning with Go Go Lolo (Awesome Again) in the 1ST and ending with Success
Rate (Friends Lake) in the 10TH and final race on the card.
“I’m a little embarrassed that it’s taken me that long because I’ve been
riding so long,” said Rocco, who rode his first winner at Tampa Bay Downs on
February 2, 1999, aboard his very first mount, Rainbow’s Raja. “But it does mean
a lot.”
Although he was hardly reveling in his achievement, it clearly meant a lot to
the subdued 30-year-old jockey to share the moment with his wife, Jamie, and two
sons, Brodie, 4, and Luke, 1.
“I stood in my own way for so long,” Rocco reflected. “At the time, I didn’t
realize it. Looking back on it now, having grown up and matured as a person, I
can say now that I definitely stopped myself for at least the first five years
of my career by making bad decisions.
“Since I’ve been with my wife and we’ve had kids, it makes you think
differently and gives you a reason to go out and do it.”
Rocco was also thinking of his father, who has been his lifelong inspiration.
Joe Rocco, who was back home in Delaware, set a high standard for his son by
riding 3,714 winners during a 34-year-old career that concluded in 2011.
“He’s everything. I grew up wanting to be just like him,” said the younger
Rocco, who had ridden on occasion against his father in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“Being a jockey is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
After capturing the 2011 riding title at Delaware Park with 94 wins, 20 more
than his nearest rival, Rocco opted to ride full time at Gulfstream for the
first time last meet, ranking seventh in the standings with 45 trips to the
winner’s circle. He enjoyed the most productive year of his career last year,
capping the 2012 season by finishing fourth during Churchill Downs’ fall meeting
before returning to Gulfstream for the current meeting.
Rocco rode Hard Not to Like to victory in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River on
January 5, and currently ranks sixth in the Gulfstream jockey’s standings with
21 wins. He is planning on returning to Kentucky upon the conclusion of the
Gulfstream meeting.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com