Monmouth Park Barn Notes for Friday, May 11, 2018

By John Heims —-

NAVARRO AIMING FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT MONMOUTH TRAINING TITLE

There’s no need to even ask Jorge Navarro if he has his sights set on a record sixth straight Monmouth Park training title, since his entry box actions say it all.

When the Shore track resumes with live racing on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, it’s almost easier to find the races there’s not a Navarro horse in than there are races he has entered.

The total for the two days: 14 horses entered in a combined 12 races.

“We’re going all out to win the title again,” said Navarro. “I have the highest respect for the trainers who have been here before me and the highest respect for the trainers who are at Monmouth Park now who make things as competitive as they are. But I am always challenging myself and I’m very competitive. If we can win another title and break more records doing that we’re going to go for it”.

Navarro, 43, had a season for the ages at Monmouth Park last year, saddling a record 65 winners, which eclipsed the mark of 59 he set in 2016. Along the way he set a track record with five winners on a single card and tied Juan Serey’s record (set from 1995-99) of five straight Monmouth Park training titles.

As goal-driven as he is to add to his achievements he does not take them for granted.

“Where I came from to where I am now, training at a great place like Monmouth Park with all of the great horsemen who have been at this track all these years, I am proud of the accomplishments,” said Navarro. “To do what I’ve done at this track makes it even more special. I’m in love with Monmouth Park.

“I’m from Florida but I call New Jersey my home now because of everything that Monmouth Park and Dennis Drazin (chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack) have done for me and the horsemen.”

Navarro said a 52-day meet will make it a challenge to break the win record he set in 2017, but he’s up for it.

“I always set my goals high,” he said. “If there’s any chance it can be done, that we can set another record, we’re going to try to do that.”

JOCKEY JAIRO RENDON EYES BREAKTHROUGH AT MONMOUTH

After spending most of the past 18 years establishing his reputation globally, jockey Jairo Rendon finds himself in an unusual situation this summer: He’s trying to make a name for himself at Monmouth Park.

In racing venues like Panama, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and his native Colombia, Rendon’s riding abilities are well known. But in the United States, and specifically at Monmouth Park, he’s an unknown outsider.

And that’s fine with 34-year-old, who is listed on a combined 16 mounts as live racing resumes at the Shore track on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13.

“You have to work hard to get anything in this business and I have always worked hard,” said Rendon. “People at Monmouth see me here every morning. I want to ride. I want them to know I’m here and that I am willing to work.”

Rendon, who hails from Medellin, Colombia, is committed to riding full-time during Monmouth Park’s 52-day meeting as he tries to establish a foothold in the United States. He was the top rider in Colombia, won a riding title in Panama and spent eight years riding in Saudi Arabia, but has yet to make an impact in the United States.

Part of that is due simply to bad luck. After arriving in the United States with the help of trainer Alan Goldberg, Rendon won his first race in this country at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 14, 2017. The very next race he was involved in a spill that resulted in a broken collarbone that sidelined him for more than five months.

“That was tough because I think people were just starting to see what I can do and then I had the accident and was out for a while,” he said. “All I could do was heal and get back to work when the doctors said I could.”

Rendon won two races from 11 starters at Monmouth Park a year ago, riding sparingly the entire year. He says he is back now and embracing the heavy workload, trying to show people the experience he gained from riding more than 3,000 races around the world.

On Monmouth Park’s opening day card on May 5 he won with Magic Hatter at a mile and a sixteenth on the grass. He had six mounts that day

“They say I am very good on the turf because I know how to save ground and position a horse,” said Rendon. “I don’t know. I think I can ride any kind of race.”

Monmouth Park trainers have noticed. Five different conditioners will account for the 16 horses he is listed on Saturday and Sunday.

“My goal is to improve my business and win a lot of races at Monmouth Park,” said Rendon. “I hope by working hard people will see what I can do if given the chance.”

MONMOUTH PARK PROMOTIONS ABOUND ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 13

Monmouth Park has plenty in store for moms and racing fans alike to complement an 11-race card of live racing on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13.

All ladies will be admitted free to the track on Mother’s Day, with the first 1,000 ladies also receiving free carnations. Additionally, there will be a Mother’s Day Champagne Bar outside the Grandstand in the paddock area.

There will also be drawings for a Monmouth Mall shopping spree, Ed Sheeran tickets, jewelry, an Ocean Place spa trip and In the Garden flower shop.

As is the case every Sunday of live racing it will also be Family Fun Day, with free clowns, face painters, a bounce house and pony rides for children 12 and under.

Following the races, Chuck Lambert will provide the musical entertainment at the Beer Garden at Blu Grotto. The William Hill Sports Bar will offer post-race Happy Hour Specials as well.