Young jockey Jose Morelos builds reputation for long shots

With the likes of Irad Ortiz Jr., Luis Saez, Tyler Gaffalione, John Velazquez, Junior Alvarado, Dylan Davis and Edgard Zayas commanding the highest-quality mounts, a young jockey like Jose Morelos could have been expected to go virtually unnoticed during Gulfstream Park's recently concluded championship meet.

The 24-year-old jockey scratched and clawed for 19 hard-earned victories, a rather respectable total for the meet that spanned Thanksgiving Day to March 30, considering his limited opportunities and the lofty level of competition. Yet, he went on to attract a whole lot more attention expected of a 9% jockey by riding favorites and long shots with equal gusto.

Morelos, who has ridden year-round at Gulfstream Park since arriving from Panama in 2021, turned out to be a long-shot player’s dream during the championship meet. His 19 winners returned an average win payoff a bit over $29.

“I like to win races. I don’t care what horse I ride. I ride every horse the same way,” Morelos said through an interpreter.

Among Morelos’s most lucrative winners were Skinny Cosmo ($106.40) on Nov. 29, Dixie Escape ($95.80) on Jan. 24, Nerazurri ($59.80) on Feb. 12, Westhampton ($101.60) on March 13 and Senorita Nomas ($56.40) on March 26.

“I’m thankful for the opportunities,” said Morelos, whose mounts are booked by agent Jose Sanchez. “I thank the trainers and my agent.”

Morelos began his riding career in Panama when he was 16 years old, although his goal had been to begin his apprenticeship in the U.S.

“Since I was an apprentice, I wanted to ride in the United States, but I had to wait for a visa,” said Morelos, who was born in Colombia before moving to Panama at the age of 9. “I had to wait five years.”

After winning 503 races in Panama, Morelos made it to the U.S. in 2021 and has steadily established himself at Gulfstream. While riding against the best jockeys in the country during the championship meet is a daunting challenge, Morelos has kept a close eye on the top jockeys, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in particular, to learn from the best in the business.

“I try to learn. I watch how he rides, I watch his style,” he said. “I like riding against the best jockeys. I think it helps me get better and better.”

Morelos closed out opening weekend of the spring meet with a victory in Sunday’s finale aboard favored Dimanche Gras.