Puerto Rican talent
The Puerto Rican rider settled in Charles Town two years ago, and fortune smiles upon him.
It was Wednesday morning, and Marshall Méndez was in one of the stables in Charles Town, West Virginia, waiting to take a horse to the main track for exercise.The Puerto Rican, who is about to turn 28 years old in August, had just come off a week of multiple victories, visiting the winner’s circle five times. However, one thing is clear: success doesn’t go to his head.
«The horse is 90% of it. If he’s not ready to win, there’s no way, no matter how hard you try. That’s why this (racing) is a team effort that starts in the stables with what the hot walkers, grooms, and trainers do,» he describes, shedding some light on the circle that brings this spectacle to life week after week. «I always thank the owners as well for trusting me with their horses,» he adds.
The rocky road to success has also been one of necessary sacrifices for the Carolina-born Puerto Rican, who had to step out of his comfort zone at the age of 18 to pursue his dream. «At 16, I tried to enter the Racing School (Hipódromo de Camarero), but I weighed 110 pounds, and they didn’t accept me. At that point, I wasn’t well informed about what I needed to do» Méndez narrates, referring to the main enemy in this profession: the scale.
«In New York, I had a cousin, Manuel Chaves, who was riding at Aqueduct. He offered me a helping hand in pursuing my dream of becoming a jockey. So I started from scratch, walking horses as a Hot Walker. Everything was gradual, and I noticed that the temperament of the horses was very different» says Méndez, who had experience as a child riding paso fino horses from his family in his hometown of Carolina.
Perseverance
Once settled in New York, Méndez embraced the challenge with complete focus, having to go through various stages to achieve his goals. «I am very grateful to Carlos Martín, and also to John Kimmel, who was actually the first trainer to put me on a horse and take it to the track». He was a young boy shaping his destiny, with each horse offering a new learning experience.
«I spent six years galloping horses to learn to be a jockey. During that stage, I must also thank Rodolphe Brisset, a very strict trainer in his work. He was the one who taught me to time the horse, to relax it, to make it do what the trainer requires in training sessions,» these were the foundations of Marshall Méndez, who currently has 237 victories after two seasons. «I didn’t think I could do so well; all of this is thanks to God».
When he felt prepared, Marshall decided to move to Ohio and start in the apprentice jockey circuit. «I had a five-pound weight allowance there, compared to the 10 or 7 I could get at other racetracks,» he explains his decision, which was also motivated by the difficulties with weight and not having an agent, being a total unknown in the business.
After seven rides, in July 2022, Marshall Méndez experienced his first moment of satisfaction. «Those are unforgettable moments. It’s amazing to fulfill a dream. It was the moment to show what we’re made of» he recalls that afternoon when he guided Furtherinstruction (Take Charge Indy) to victory in a claiming race with a $16,000 purse.
That first stage in Ohio wasn’t entirely prosperous for Marshall. He ended the season with 15 more victories, but it presented him with the opportunity to meet Sarah, who is now his wife. «She worked with the Pony at Thistledown. Since I met her, she has been my driving force, always a motivation» he says.
«Ohio is a tough circuit; most people have their long-standing teams. Until someone trusts you and gives you a chance,» he emphasizes. And his real opportunity came, but at another racetrack. «One day, I did well at Mahoning Valley. I had won three races, and it coincided with Marcus Judy, an agent from Charles Town, calling Guillermo Rodríguez, another Puerto Rican jockey who rides there, to bring a jockey to that racetrack, and he recommended me».
And the decision was successful for everyone. «Thanks to God, everything went well from the beginning. Having a good focus has been crucial. I have had support from day one. I remember that Mike Jones was the first one to put me on his horses in the morning. I have also ridden for Jeff Runco, Anthony Farrior, Jhon McKee, who passed away, and now I continue to ride horses for his wife, Cynthia McKee.» The Puerto Rican rider reflects, feeling fortunate, with over 140 victories, ranking second in the statistics behind Arnaldo Bocachica, and this year, he maintains a similar projection.
The routine is tough. Work at the racetrack is from Monday to Saturday, and visits to other tracks like Mountaineer and Laurel are part of the schedule. «We’re doing well at Mountaineer. We’re seventh in the standings. It’s a long trip (4 hours), so Sarah accompanies me, helping me stay awake» a routine he follows on Wednesdays to return in the early hours of the morning and be active, first thing on Thursday, to gallop horses at Charles Town.
«You have to earn your bread. In Puerto Rico, I could eat at my grandmother’s or aunt’s house, but that doesn’t exist here. Here, it’s work. ‘Work for your family,’ that’s what my grandmother used to tell me, and that’s what I do every day» that’s the focus of the Puerto Rican rider who only asks God to return safely after each racing day. «I feel comfortable in Charles Town; Marcus (Yudy) and I are doing a good job. This is my home until God decides otherwise» he concludes.
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