BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – It had been a while since jockey Pedro Monterrey Jr. visited the winner’s circle. In fact, it had been so long that some of Monterrey’s better years came at tracks that no longer exist – Calder, Suffolk, Arlington, Hawthorne.

More than seven years and approximately 2,650 days after his last mount, Monterrey, 45 pounds lighter than a year ago and with a few more laugh lines around the eyes, returned to riding and the winner’s circle earlier this week aboard Bodacious Queen.

“Yes,” agreed Monterrey after winning aboard his fourth mount since returning, “it was a long time.”

Monterrey’s career dates to 2003 when he started riding at Calder. Throughout the next 15 years Monterrey would win stakes for some of Florida’s top trainers including Eddie Plesa Jr., Manny Tortora and Bill White.

But after spending much of May 2019 riding at Suffolk, Monterrey, 41, stopped riding in the afternoons.

“I never quit galloping,” Monterrey said. “I was in good shape to gallop, but I was overweight. I got up to 165 pounds. I knew I had to lose weight, so I started to change my diet. When I started my goal was 130. That’s my goal.”

Monterrey stayed consistent and steady on his diet while galloping and working in the afternoons at Jockeytack near the racing office at Gulfstream.

“It took me one year and four months to lose the weight,” he said. “I was eating 90 percent protein and constantly exercising. When I got to my goal of 130, I kept losing weight. I got down to 125, 126 and I see the weight to ride is 124, 125. So, I figured, ‘Let’s do it.’ The day I won I was 117.

“It’s about the competition. It’s something in your blood.”

Monterrey admitted he was a bit nervous when he rode his first race back July 18. “I was interested in looking good and riding good,” he said. “I think I did OK. After that I needed the right horse to win.”

Monterrey said his return to riding has been rewarding and fun.

“I’m definitely going to be full time. At this point in my career, I have nothing to prove. I have ridden with amazing jockeys and ridden for amazing trainers. I want to have fun. If you’re riding and enjoying what you’re doing, everything good will happen. I feel less pressure. I think mentally, without a lot of pressure, you will ride much better and be thinking better when handicapping the races.”

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