Year of the Jockey
|
FERNANDO JARA Triple Crown Win
Belmont (GI-Bel)—Jazil (2006)
Breeders’ Cup Win
Classic (GI)—Invasor (CD-2006)
Other Major Stakes Wins
Alcibiades (GII-Kee)—Bel Air Beauty (2006)
Bowling Green H. (GII-Bel)—Go Deputy (2006)
Diana (GI-Sar)—Angara (2006)
Donn H. (GI-GP)—Invasor (2007)
Dubai World Cup (GI-Nad Al Sheba)—Invasor (2007)
Fred Capossela (Aqu)—Like Now (2006)
Gotham (GIII-Aqu)—Like Now (2006)
Joseph A. Gimma (Bel)—Win With a Wink (2006)
Nashua (GIII-Aqu)—Day Pass (2006)
New York Breeders’ Futurity (FL)—Chief Officer (2006)
New York Stallion (Sar)—Classic Pack (2006)
Pimlico Special H. (GI-Pim)—Invasor (2006)
Suburban H. (GI-Bel)—Invasor (2006)
Whitney H. (GI-Sar)—Invasor (2006)
Schuylerville (GIII-Sar)—How About Now (GII-1996)
Highlights
- First winner: Soy Soberano Papa at Hippodromo Presidente Remon in Panama when 15 in 2003.
- First graded stakes winner: Like Now in Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct at odds of 36-1 on March 18, 2006.
- First Grade I winner: Jazil in Belmont Stakes on June 10, 2006.
- Made dramatic impact on racing scene at the age of 18 in 2006 when he won the Belmont Stakes aboard Jazil and the Breeders’ Cup Classic with Invasor, both for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, to rank 16th nationally in earnings ($8,698,729) while being the youngest rider in the Top 20.
- After dead-heating for fourth atop Jazil in the Kentucky Derby, took the 138th Belmont after brushing the gate to lose a stirrup at the start, trailing down the backstretch, and then winning a duel with Bluegrass Cat through the stretch. “This is amazing,” the teenager exclaimed afterward.
- Rode Invasor to victory in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs after directing the Uruguayan import to wins in the Whitney Handicap, Pimlico Special and Suburban Handicap, all Grade I events, during a flawless 2006 season. Invasor was voted Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and champion older horse.
- Began 2007 by guiding Invasor to a two-length win under a hand ride in the Grade I Donn Handicap before capturing the world’s richest race, the $6-million
Dubai World Cup, while edging away to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Premium Tap. Invasor would be subsequently retired with an ankle injury following 11 straight victories.
Personal
- Moved base to Southern California for start of 2007 Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet when teaming up with veteran agent Bob Meldahl. “I just want to try something new,” he said. Rode his first Oak Tree winner aboard Instant Action on Oct. 7, 2007, his 39th mount at the meet.
- Came to the United States on Dec. 26, 2003, with family friend Samuel Jimenez, a lawyer who trains as a hobby, and started U.S. career at Aqueduct.
- Grandfather Hugo Jara was a jockey and trainer while his father, Jorge Jara, is a trainer in Panama. Has a sister who is a psychologist, another who attends university and a brother who is an architect.
- Left public school at 14 in the ninth grade to attend Panama’s jockey school. As a teenager riding in Panama was nicknamed “Ice Boy” because of fearless style.