2024, at age 39, he earned a total purse of just over $2.9 million, marking his 11th time winning the earnings crown. Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
By John Spinelli
OCEANPORT – Monmouth Park concluded its season Sept. 15 and recently announced some coveted season titles.
After winning 76 races, Paco Lopez grabbed lead jockey, repeating last year’s accomplishment.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and it seemed like it was a long way to get to this point,” Lopez said, thanking his team for the support. “I couldn’t have done it without Cory Moran as my agent.”
This is Lopez’s 11th career title since arriving at Monmouth Park in 2007.
Another jockey making history this year at Monmouth Park was 25-year-old Maddy Olver who became the first female in the Top 10 two years in a row since Rosemary Homeister in 1993.
“Being in the Top 10, two years in a row, was not something that was in mind as being an achievement until it was pointed out that a woman hasn’t done it in over 30 years!” Olver said.
“I came to New Jersey last year as an apprentice with no expectations, and while I have experienced the epitome of the roller coaster of emotions this business puts you on, I have been deeply moved by the support I have received here,” she said, giving a shoutout to her team and agent Anthony Montedoro.
Olver said she was inspired by female jockeys at Monmouth prior to her career.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without other women riders that have come before me and had the success they had,” she said.
“I commend them as I know the trials and pitfalls of the industry very well. I am honored and delighted there are still horsemen that recognize my work ethic and ability on a horse.”
She joins a tradition of successful female jockeys who are Monmouth Park alumni, including Ferrin Peterson, Julia Krone and Rachel Lavoy.
Olver said she considers the area “home” to her now. “I enjoy living in the Oceanport area, with the beach within close range, great restaurants, kind people, and many outdoor activities to choose from,” she said, mentioning how New Jersey is a good location to be jockey. “Another plus for me is New Jersey is centrally located to many other tracks we can drive to and ride at, including Parx, Delaware, Aqueduct, and Pimlico/Laurel. You could ride every day of the week if you wanted, and many riders do.”
Olver, who graduated from Colorado State University in 2021, was considering law school until she decided to pursue a career as a jockey. She rode horses for many years growing up. This year at Aqueduct, she got her first major stakes victory.
Melissa Iorio came in second behind Olver, finishing 10th on the Top 10 list. Iorio, originally from Hopewell, had a remarkable season as an apprentice jockey, winning 15 races this summer.
With 65 wins, Jairo Rendon was second behind Lopez this season. He is represented by agent Steve Worsley.
“I started riding at 21 in the United States and now I’m 38, so I’m feeling a little old,” he said with a laugh. He started his career at Monmouth in 2007 after immigrating from Mexico.
“I’m proud of my consistency. It’s like any job. You must be consistent, and if you combine that with hard work good things will happen; nothing is given to you,” he said.
Trainer Claudio Gonzalez (34 wins and $758,347 in earnings) and Rumson resident owner Robert Reidy (14 wins from 66 starts) won first place in their respective categories for the 2024 season.
Locally, Monmouth Beach’s Chuck Spina netted a total of $691,532 while Ocean Township’s Gregg Sacco earned $417,221. Sacco had 10 wins and 14 runners-up this season.
Although Monmouth Park is in the off-season, live racing is still taking place at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, which will host the “Monmouth at the Meadowlands” autumn meet. There will be races every Friday and Saturday evening until October 18.
The article originally appeared in the October 3 – October 9, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
