RAJIV Maragh, the Jamaica-born jockey who has been making waves in the United States, visited Caymanas Park for the second time last Saturday and the reception he received from the large crowd was even greater than the first.

Since his first visit to Caymanas Park back in February, Maragh has firmly established himself as one of the top jockeys in the USA, notching up his 1,000th career win while plying his trade mainly on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks, Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga.

Rajiv, who was accompanied by his father, jockey-turned-trainer Collin Maragh, and girlfriend Angeline Ramlall, presented the Rajiv Maragh Trophy, run in his honour, to the connections of PRINCE OF PEACE, winner of the open allowance co-feature over 1100 metres. He was a special guest of the promoters, Caymanas Track Limited.

Prior to flying into Jamaica from Japan on Tuesday, December 8, Rajiv not only spent the weekend in Japan where he rode in the prestigious Japan Cup for the first time, but notched up two winners on the Friday. Winning in Asia was a unique experience for him. He made the trip with big-name jockeys Garrett Gomez and Calvin Borel.

Riding at Caymanas Park

Rajiv said he was surprised by the adulation of local fans, most of whom are dying to see him ride at Caymanas Park even for a day. He said:

"Having so many fans in Jamaica through simulcast racing, I am really looking forward to the opportunity to ride here. However, it will take more time than I figured.

"My day-to-day riding commitments on the North American circuit has so far prevented me from parading my skills at Caymanas Park, but I don't think it will be much longer.

"I would dearly love to ride on one of the big race days like Superday, and I promise my fans to keep the faith," said the 24-year-old jockey.

A past student of Meadowbrook High, Rajiv left Jamaica at age 13 to attend school in Florida. But racing was in his blood and, after leaving high school, it did not take any encouragement from his father for him to become a jockey.

As an apprentice in 2004, Rajiv rode his first winner, PRICEDALE KID, at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida on February 1 that year, and quickly established himself, winning apprentice titles twice on the Florida circuit (Gulfstream, Calder, Tampa Bay).

Retired 'Hall of Fame' jockey Angel Cordero Jr took him to New York and Rajiv's fairy-tale story not only continued, but seems likely to last forever.

He rode 214 winners on the east coast last year with an impressive US$10 million in stakes. And this year he has already topped that, with 235 winners so far and $11.6 million in stakes, working in tandem with top jockeys' agent Richard DePass, who is a two-time champion jockey of Jamaica (1970, 1971).

Best in North America

When Aqueduct is out of season, Rajiv says he enjoys riding at New Jersey's Monmouth Park, where he notched up a fabulous five-timer on a programme last year. He claims the perks at the east coast track are among the best in North America, and what's more, his father trains there.

According to his dad, Rajiv has not only earned the admiration of racing fans in New York, but the respect of his peers as well, including main rival Ramone Dominguez and retired jockeys such as Cordero and Jerry Bailey.

- O.C.