BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 22, 2018—Racing fans may not have been familiar with rider Everardo Rodriguez one year ago, but the talented jockey surged into the spotlight in 2017 and it looks like 2018 will be ever better!

The 28-year-old was born in San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico. Rodriguez began his career by galloping horses in south Texas before making the move to Louisiana. Rodriguez won just one race in 2013, but those numbers have risen rapidly in the past five years. He won 14 races in 2014; 20 the following year and 28 in 2016. His breakthrough came in 2017 when he won 89 races and topped the million dollar mark in purses for the first time in his career.

On Wednesday afternoon at Louisiana Downs, he was honored as the leading rider of the 2018 Quarter Horse meet. He rode 45 winners, topping his season with a resounding victory aboard Going Noble in the $238,090 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity (G3). He added 35 seconds and 32 third-place finishes to finish the meet with a solid 56% in the money stat and purses of $402,151.

Humble and grateful to God, Rodriguez wanted to extend his sincere thanks to the people who have been instrumental in him capturing his second career title.

"First and foremost, I thank God as nothing is possible without him," said Rodriguez. "I am grateful to the owners who had the confidence in me to ride their horses and to many horsemen, including Carlos Saldivar, Martin Trejo, Lanny Keith and Rodolfo Sanchez. My agent Gerald Thomas works very hard and I thank him."

His family is extremely important, and he acknowledged them as well.

"My wife, Blanca, is very supportive," he added. "Win or lose, she is there for me and her family is as well. My parents and brothers are always behind me, and my grandfather in Mexico is so proud of my accomplishments!"

Rodriguez also credited jockey Alfonso Lujan, who has been a mentor for the past five years.

"I have always respected Alfonso," he said. "He helped me when I first began riding and I still go to him for advice. Anytime I have asked, he has always been there for me."

The veteran jockey stressed learning from experience and advised Rodriguez to stay humble.

"I pride myself in staying grounded," added Lujan. "He told me that he liked the fact that I never got overexcited about the wins or discouraged about losing races. Everardo also understands the importance of family. As a jockey, you never know what might happen in your career; having family behind you is key." Fellow jockey Antonio Alberto is also a close friend and skilled translator!

Going Noble looks to have a bright future and is being pointed to the Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs. But a horse that will always have a special place in Rodriguez’s heart is Magic Black Jack. He rode the son of Jet Black Patriot to victory in the $50,000 Flying Breed Stakes on July 8, 2017. His time of :11.466 seconds was not only a new Delta Downs track record for the distance of 220-yards; it was also acknowledged as an AQHA World Record.

This could have been the second Louisiana Downs title for Rodriguez, but a tragic event occurred last February that derailed his run. His younger brother, Jose was seriously injured in a spill on February 25 in trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity when his mount went down. He was transported to the hospital and Everardo accompanied him.

"Everardo had ten more trials to ride, but there was no question that supporting his brother was the priority," said Gerald Thomas. "Jose was in a coma and remained hospitalized for two weeks. Everardo never left his side."

Jose was unable to ride for most of the year, but thankfully, made a full recovery and returned to action for the conclusion of the Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse meet. He won the eighth race on the final day of the season, scoring at 22-1 on Diamonds Royal Miss. Later that evening, Everardo captured the first leading rider title of his career, but Jose’s win far outweighed his accomplishment.

Family will always be the cornerstone for Everardo Rodriguez as a person and jockey. He delights when talking about his 94-year-old grandfather, who still rides horses and his brothers Jose, 24, and Leo, 17, who will begin riding professionally in the near future.

His goal is not to win the All American Futurity or other noted graded stakes. Instead, his dream is for the Rodriguez brothers to ride in the same race, finishing in the top three.

With his trademark grin and love for his family, it’s a safe bet to say that Everardo would smile even brighter if Jose and Leo beat him to the wire!

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Martha Claussen served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana and other regions in North America.