Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Rodriquez aboard the 1998/99, Horse of the Year BLUMENTHAL. - FILE
NEW YORK-based Jamaican jockey Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez is scheduled to ride at Caymanas Park on Saturday for the first time in just over six years.
The legendary horseman, who recently came out of retirement to ride at Aqueduct, booted home the 37-1 outsider, TOO TA ROO at the New York track on Friday, February 24, much to the delight of local simulcast fans who backed him down to 8-1 at CTL off-track betting parlours.
Trainer Gary Subratie, who was in New York at the time and was the guest of Rodriquez at Aqueduct, said the response from Jamaicans at the track was overwhelming.
COMING THURSDAY
Rodriquez, who, years ago in Florida encouraged a young Subratie to take out a trainers' licence, is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on Thursday to ride on Saturday before returning to his base in New York.
It is understood that Rodriquez has four mounts lined up on the card, including the Subratie-trained filly KEISHA BABY in the valuable Thornbird Stakes (Guineas Trial) over 1400 metres for native bred three-year-old fillies.
The Gleaner further under-stands that Rodriquez will return to Caymanas Park on April 1 to ride KEISHA BABY in the 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres.
In a telephone interview last week Rodriquez, who turned 50 in September of last year, explained his reason for coming out of retirement.
"I believe I still have more to contribute even at my age. I have seen jockeys over here ride well into their 50s and do well.
ONLY PROBLEM
"My only problem was to get back in shape and although the process was not easy, I committed myself to the task and it paid off recently with a winner at Aqueduct," said Rodriquez who last rode in Jamaica on December 27, 1999 (Boxing Day). His last winner in Jamaica was DR. ICE for trainer Jose Pinchin on the same card.
However, later in the afternoon aboard the howling favourite BLUMENTHAL he was beaten a short head by MENUDO (Robert Reid up) in the Harry Jackson Memorial over 2400 metres, the penultimate race on the card. His last ride was aboard the Pinchin-trained PROCEEDACCORDINGLY, who was unplaced.
'Bimbo' last visited Jamaica in early June, 2004 when he was among eight inductees to the 'Hall of Fame' of Thorougbred Racing, along with the highly acclaimed Florida-based Jamaican trainer Ralph Ziadie.
Rodriquez said then that he was planning to make a comeback and he realised his goal a month ago.
To date 'Bimbo' has ridden 1080 winners at Caymanas Park. Among his tally are 15 classic winners, three of these coming in the Jamaica Derby.
GRESTEST FEAT
One of his greatest riding feats came aboard the Nigel Nunes-trained LUCKY OLE SUN in the 1979 Derby. The man, who is also popularly known as 'Chest', drove his mount ferociously to win the premier classic in a three-way photo-finish from ATTA BOY and LOVER BOY CES, a race still talked about with much passion whenever his name is mentioned.
Having ridden for the first time as an apprentice 36 years ago, Rodriquez has stamped himself as one of the most accomplished jockeys in the history of Caymanas Park.
