Jose Antonio Gomez made his debut in June 2021 at Monmouth Park. And while he didn't pick up his first win until more than four months later, Gomez's career has been on the rise ever since. Now that rise includes Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey.
As 2022 progressed, Gomez found himself in the irons for five graded stakes: the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2), the $150,000 Pebbles Stakes (G3T), $150,000 Matron Stakes (G3T), the $300,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T), and the $150,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (G3T) in which he finished fourth aboard Field Pass.
For the year, Gomez was ranked 41st with 152 wins, capturing 12% of his races. He was also 28th in earnings at $7,635,366.
Gomez ended the year as the leading apprentice jockey and ninth overall on the New York Racing Association circuit, where he raced 917 of his 1,312 races. In those, he compiled a 98-95-117 mark with $5,803,684 in earnings.
"It all came by surprise. I didn't expect to start out here in New York," said Gomez. "I'm thankful for all the trainers, everybody who is a part of the team, and all the people who taught me and gave me a chance to learn even before I started riding."
