SHELBYVILLE, IN—MAY 18, 2019—Quarter Horse Jockey Leonardo Rodriguez is off to a fast start at Indiana Grand in 2019. The 18-year-old from San Luis Potosi, Mexico rode in Indiana at the end of the 2018 meet and returned this spring ready to win races. So far, he has led the standings and has accomplished his goals.

“I’m very blessed,” said Rodriguez. “All my intentions were to get started off on the right foot and my intentions were to win every time I go out onto the track. So far it has worked out for me.”

Through the first 15 days of racing, Rodriguez has the highest win percentage of any other Quarter Horse jockey in the room, winning at a 32 percent clip and finishing in the top three in 47 percent of his 19 races thus far. With six wins through the first 19 races he has participated in, Rodriguez has topped the Quarter Horse standings from day one. He won two of his first four races with a second place added in.

Rodriguez comes into Quarter Horse racing through family ties. His brothers, Everardo Rodriguez and Jose Ariel Rodriguez are both jockeys in Louisiana and the young Rodriguez relies on them for direction. Everardo has won a title at Evangeline Downs while Jose has won numerous stakes in Louisiana.

“I learned to ride in Louisiana and learned from my brothers, who are leading riders there,” said Rodriguez. “Any advice they gave to me, I took from them.”

Rodriguez has been getting on horses for two and a half years, but he has been riding in races for the past 10 months. So far, with two wins in 2018 and six in 2019, he has won eight of his 10 career wins at Indiana Grand. His very first win in Indiana was in the $45,000 Speed Sales Stakes last fall aboard the John McCreary-trained One Smart Jess.

“Leonardo (Rodriguez) rode for me in Louisiana during the winter of 2018,” said McCreary last year after his win in the Speed Sale Stakes with One Smart Jess. “When he was ready to start riding (in races), we brought him up and he’s really riding well. We are really lucky to have him.”

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:15 p.m. with Saturdays beginning at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit the website at IndianaGrand.com.

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About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Indiana Grand Racing & Casino holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as an off-track betting facility located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.