Everardo Rodriguez rode his first stakes winner today, since his return to riding, in the $107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes (not black type).

© Coady Photography

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch.com

BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA-MARCH 24, 2023-After returning to the saddle following a near-death injury that left the veteran rider in a coma for three-weeks, jockey Everardo Rodriguez booted home his first-stakes winner since returning to the saddle in Friday's $107,000 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes (not black type).

The 34 year-old native of San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico, suffered a compression fraction in his back and a brain bruise as a result on the spill at Delta Downs aboard Tf Fortunate One. The well-respected rider spent 8-weeks in a back-brace, and was confined to his home prior to choosing to resume his career as a jockey.

On Friday, Rodriguez was the recipient of the mount aboard The Heroine, the post-time favorite and eventual winner, after jockey Victor Urieta had to be replaced after suffering a broken collarbone in a schooling race mishap at Retama Park.

Rodriguez picked up the mount, and guided the three year-old Valiant Hero filly to her second-consecutive victory with the win in the Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes (see related story).

After the victory, Rodriguez was visually emotional with his post-race interview in the winner's circle with reporter Martha Claussen. Usually reserved, Rodriguez was exhibiting the significance of this win as it signaled a return to the elite level he was accustomed to riding at prior to injury.

"This win was really emotional," said Rodriguez. "When I crossed the wire, I immediately thought to thank God for giving me the opportunity to make this return from being hurt.  I can't be more thankful to the connections for allowing me to pick up this mount, and I am looking forward to riding more stakes winners this racing season.  I am feeling good, and I am happy that my business on the backside has returned."

Rodriguez led the nation in wins in 2021 with 147 victories and was the regular pilot of the millionaire Blood Money who posted three-futurity victories that included wins in the Laddie Futurity(RG2), Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity(RG1), and the $1-Million Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1).