Almeida Takes Out Trainer's License

There’s a new name among Santa Anita-based trainers: Goncalino Almeida. The former jockey obtained his license last Tuesday and has three horses in his care, one of which he hopes to start when conditions allow.

“I tried to enter one for Monday, but it didn’t get in,” said the 57-year-old Almeida, who worked for the likes of Bobby Frankel and Bill Mott in his riding days. One of Almeida’s horses, Unstopper Topper, worked five furlongs Friday in 1:02.80.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Almeida rode in his native country for 20 years before coming to the U.S. in 1989. His father and grandfather were jockeys and then trainers in Brazil. His first U.S. mount was Janus II, who finished last in the 1976 Washington D.C. International.

Almeida, who resides in Arcadia, rode in his first Kentucky Derby in 1995, finishing fourth aboard English-bred Jumron trained by Gary Lewis.