Few jockeys profiled on EZ Horse Betting have risen to stardom faster than Smokin’ Joe Talamo, a journeyman rider who, like so many other successful riders, learned his craft on the bush tracks of Louisiana. Following in the tradition of Randy Romero, Calvin Borel, and Corey Lanerie, Joe Talamo has often been compared to the…
Panama has a history of producing great thoroughbred jockeys such as Laffit Pincay, Jr., who many consider to be the best jockey of all time. Jose Lezcano is among the most recent riders to carry on the fine tradition of Panamanian riders in the United States. His career has been filled with many highlights and…
Javier Castellano has become one of the most successful jockeys in North America. He won four consecutive Outstanding Jockey Eclipse Awards from 2013 through 2016 and entered the Hall of Fame in 2017. His later classic victories include Mage in the 2023 Kentucky Derby and Arcangelo in that year’s Belmont. From Venezuela to the United…
Mike Smith built a major career across New York and California, with classic victories, championship mounts and two Outstanding Jockey Eclipse Awards. His riding record provides a clearer starting point than a generalization about how every racing fan views him. Known as the talented rider of Zenyatta and many other famous horses, Smith also gained…
When thoroughbred trainers need a go-to jockey for a big stakes race they often turn to journeyman jockey, John Velazquez. “Johnny-V” as he is known on the track can get the job done. The Museum of Racing record lists 6,786 wins through 2025 and more than $513 million in mount purse earnings. Those are dated…
Born January 14, 1985, Joel Rosario developed a major North American career and entered the Hall of Fame in 2024. The Dominican Republic native joins other accomplished jockeys from the region, including Victor Espinoza, who won the Triple Crown on American Pharoah. Each rider’s achievements belong to an individual career rather than a general rule…
Louisiana has given horseracing its fair share of famous jockeys but the argument could easily be made that Calvin Borel is the most famous rider to emerge from the bush tracks of the Pelican State. Known for his ability to save ground in races by hugging the inside of the track, a technique that has…
Corey Nakatani built his reputation on the California circuit with numerous stakes victories at Santa Anita and Del Mar. His completed career includes ten Breeders’ Cup victories and Hall of Fame induction in 2023. The chronology below distinguishes his early development, major partnerships and retirement. From wrestling to the racetrack Corey Nakatani was born in…
Julie Krone rode 3,704 winners and became the first woman to win a major North American riding title, a Triple Crown race, a Breeders’ Cup flat race, and induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Her career ran from 1981 through 2004, and her mounts earned $90,126,584. Those achievements stand as…
Jerry Bailey retired in 2006 with one of the strongest records in American riding history: 5,893 wins, $296,113,529 in mount earnings, seven Eclipse Awards as outstanding jockey, two victories in each Triple Crown race, and 15 Breeders’ Cup wins. Those totals describe both durability and exceptional success at the sport’s highest level. They also offer…
