Abreu Carries On For Late Trainer Jerkens

Fernando Abreu went to work for late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens at Gulfstream Park in November 1996, working his way up from hot walker to longtime assistant trainer right up to the legendary trainer’s passing last week.

Abreu’s bond with ‘The Chief’ was far closer than the typical employer-employee relationship.

“I can’t describe it any other way than father-and-son,” he said. “He was more than a boss to me.

Abreu saddled many horses for his late boss over the years, but he saddled his first official starter in Gulfstream Park’s fourth race Wednesday, sending out Niche, formerly trained by Jerkens, for a third-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile turf race for $25,000 claimers.

“It was very, very emotional. I usually don’t wear sunglasses, but I put them on today,” Abreu said. “He’d usually be there, telling me, ‘Slip the saddle back or forward or something.’ Typical Chief. It’s tough.”

The 36-year-old Abreu is carrying on at Gulfstream Park’s Barn 14, where backstretch workers have fashioned a memorial of flowers, pictures and memorabilia as a tribute to the beloved late trainer.

“It’s hard to follow such a legend. The hardest thing is when you come to the barn and you know he’s not there,” Abreu said. “You’re waiting for him and you see the empty golf cart. You don’t hear his voice – that’s the toughest part.”

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Source: Gulfstream Park