Perez Finds Riding Success at Santa Anita

Fernando Perez celebrated his 28th birthday last Sunday. His success this season at Santa Anita is his best gift. Through 22 racing days, the native of Guadalajara, Mexico, had 10 wins, good for seventh in the standings.

“I’m very happy,” Perez said. “Things are going well, my agent (Vince DeGregory) is working hard; we’re a good team. I rode mainly in Canada before coming to Southern California. It was very cold in Canada, although Vancouver wasn’t too bad, but I liked it there. I like it here, too.”

One of Perez’s main men has been trainer Robertino Diodoro, who is enjoying a successful transition from tracks in The Great White North.

“He’s helped me a lot,” Perez said. “I don’t think I could have made it without him, because you need a winning stable like his to be successful.”