By Rick Teverbaugh
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
For the first time in Indiana thoroughbred racing history, over $1 million in purses will be on the line in a single day at Hoosier Park this season.
On Oct. 2, Indiana Derby Day, there will be eight different stakes races. The smallest purse of those eight is $33,000. The largest is $500,000 from the 16th running of the Grade II Indiana Derby.
“Our average purse per race is up 16 percent from a year ago,” said Jeff Smith, General Manager of Racing at Hoosier Park. “We average $230,000 in purses per day. In 2007 we had $8.8 million in purses for the season and this year we have just under $15 million.”
When many thoroughbred tracks are in financial distress, the Anderson track continues to be able to upgrade its offerings.
“It’s refreshing,” said Kevin Greeley, the new Racing Secretary at Hoosier Park. “This is becoming one of the most sought-after racing destinations. This purse money is attracting the kind of horses we want. I had 1,500 applications for just over 900 stalls. I think next year it will be even better.”
So today at 5:30 p.m., the first thoroughbred race of the season goes to the starting gate. Both Friday and Saturday there will be nine thoroughbred races and three quarter horse races. Saturday’s card gets underway at 1 p.m.
Both the top jockey and the top trainer of a year ago are returning to try and repeat those titles.
For rider Orlando Mojica, this would be a landmark title. He already has won four riding titles in Anderson, the last three in succession. But he doesn’t really regard it as a competition.
“I just want to prove I can do this well,” he said Wednesday morning in the barn area of the track. “I don’t compete with the other riders. When I started I just wanted to win one title - just one.” He no longer need worry about that. The native of Puerto Rico has nine such titles in his pocket. Besides the four at Hoosier Park, three have come from Indiana Downs and one each from Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs.
Mojica has just passed 1,500 career wins. Not surprisingly he has set a new goal. “Now I want to get to 2,000,” he said.
He has moved his family to Greenfield permanently so he can close to both Indiana tracks. “I have a great family and I am truly blessed,” said Mojica. “I want to do well from them too. My wife loves it here.”
Despite winning the past three titles, he is taking nothing for granted in 2010 at Hoosier Park.
“Hopefully I can have a good meet,” said Mojica. “There are a lot of new riders and a lot of new trainers. Kentucky is only racing three days a week and a lot of riders are coming up here. Every year it is tough. I’ve been fortunate to ride for the the right people and ride some of the best horses.”
He will have a new agent at this meet. Kentucky’s John Fahey will be in charge of drumming up business for Mojica.
But the rider’s reputation and appreciation for his skills is unabated. Walking through the barn area with Mojica a fellow rider offered, “That’s one of the best riders in the country,” pointing to Mojica. It is a hard statement to refute.
