Jose Ferrer just keeps on racking up wins, earning Martin’s Italian Restaurant Jockey of the Month award.

By Margo Flynn —-

Jose Ferrer just keeps on racking up wins, earning Martin’s Italian Restaurant Jockey of the Month award.

For jockey Jose Ferrer, a big career milestone is not that far out of sight. The 61 year-old native of Puerto Rico has accomplished so much in the saddle, but win number 5,000 is something he’s got in the back of his mind as he’s less than 150 wins away from that milestone number. But for now, he’s just focused on riding his best and scoring wins, which he’s been doing regularly at Tampa Bay Downs for years. His efforts over the last several weeks have been enough to garner him the Martin’s Italian Restaurant Jockey of the Month award.

“I started this season out on fire, but things cooled down a bit after that,” said Ferrer. “But things are coming around now and looking to finish this season up strong.”

With four wins over the last couple weeks including a dramatic closing win on Expecting a Winner last weekend, Ferrer has been heating up at the Oldsmar oval. A fan favorite here in Tampa for many years, Ferrer has built a tremendous career that includes a 2018 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which is a national award given to riders who demonstrate a high level of personal and professional conduct as a jockey.

Ferrer’s total career win total stands at 4,854 as of this publishing, with a solid 15% winning percentage from over 32,000 mounts. While he’s shooting for that 5,000 win mark, he’s trying to stay more present.

“4,900 is the first thing I’m looking at,” said Ferrer. “I have to get to that before I can start looking at 5,000.”

Ferrer will be presented with his Martin’s Italian Restaurant Jockey of the Month award plaque and gift card on Saturday March 21, 2026 at Tampa Bay Downs during the race card. Tampa Bay Downs continues racing through May 3rd with racing on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, first post each day shortly after 12pm EDT.