Diego Herrera Has Answered the Call at Gulfstream Park

Upon returning to Southern California after riding British Isles to a fifth-place finish in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, jockey Diego Herrera received a call from highly respected South Florida jockey agent Kevin Meyocks.

The 22-year-old jockey has certainly answered the call beyond expectations since joining the Gulfstream jockey colony March 20.

“I expected a good result. I didn’t expect to do this good so quickly,” Herrera said. “Work hard and be a good person, you’ll get a good feeling for what you can accomplish.”

Herrera enters Friday’s nine-race card at Gulfstream atop the jockey standings for the Royal Palm Meet with a 52-51 races-won edge over Samy Camacho on the strength of seven consecutive multi-win racing days through last Sunday.

During his seven-day streak, he has collected a total of 20 victories, including a stunning upset score aboard Vindicate Cha Cha ($27.20) in the featured Little Miss Holly Handicap that capped a three-win day Sunday.

“Everyone has welcomed me with big arms, and I’m super-glad I’ve been given the opportunity to ride good horses,” Herrera said. “I’m so happy to be here.”

After returning to Southern California following his introduction to South Florida racing in the Pegasus, Herrera notched his first Grade 1 stakes victory aboard Richard Baltas-trained British Isles in the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap. Achieving such a significant career achievement at Santa Anita didn’t sway Herrera from honoring the commitment he made to branch out and ride at Gulfstream.

“Kevin has done a tremendous job,” he said. “He called me to come here. I put my trust in him and put my trust in God and said, ‘We’ll see what happens.”

Herrera developed an instant chemistry with Gulfstream’s trainers and horses. The up-and-coming jockey has mounts in all nine races Friday in his quest to extend his streak to eight consecutive multi-win days.