Jockey Pereira Off to Good Start at Santa Anita

Tiago Pereira is off to a good start at Santa Anita’s Spring Meet. The 37-year-old native of Brazil has won with three of his first 13 mounts (23 percent), tied for fifth through seven racing days in Santa Anita’s standings.

A world traveler, Pereira has ridden in France, Singapore and Dubai, where he won the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Gloria de Campeao on March 27, 2010.

“The riding style is different at each place,” Pereira said with help from his interpreter, agent Michael Burns. “They go very fast here. It’s very similar to Rio de Janeiro racing, because as soon as the gates open, everybody’s whipping and pushing their horses. You have to be in position for speed here very early.

“The style where I come from is similar. They send from the gate.”