Jockey Carlos Montalvo Records 1,000th Career Win

Jockey Carlos Montalvo recorded his 1,000th career victory Saturday afternoon at Arlington International Racecourse. The 36-year-old native of Mexico City, Mexico won aboard Jere R. Smith Jr.’s  Oh My Todd in the first race of the day.

 

“You know, a few months ago when I realized I was getting close, it felt nice,” Montalvo said. “It’s harder to get wins these days when tracks don’t race five days like they used to. I’ve gotten close a few times in the last week, and it’s nice to get it done today.”

 

Montalvo, who started riding in 1998, began his career riding in his hometown of Mexico City and notched his first career win aboard Irun at Hipodromo de las Americas in his native city. 

“When I came to the United States, it was a little bit before it was legal for me to ride, so I exercised horses for (Eusebio) Razo and (Steve) Asmussen down in New Orleans and in Texas,” Montalvo said. “I started riding in the afternoons in Chicago, and though I’ve ridden in New York, Hot Springs, and a lot of other places, I always find my way back to Chicago.”