When Seize the Grey won the May 4 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, it was a moment that jockey Jaime Torres will never forget.
Not only did the Puerto Rican native earn his first career graded stakes victory in front of a packed Kentucky Derby (G1) day crowd, but the victory also secured him a chance to participate in his first Triple Crown race, the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
"He won," trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. "It's hard to take him off."
Unlike most jockeys, the passion for horses was not immediate for Torres. His family was not involved with racing, but a trip to Puerto Rico's Camarero Race Track in December of 2019 would ultimately change his life.
"I fell in love," said Torres as he remembered the day.
Torres took that newfound love for the sport and enrolled in school to become an exercise rider. Once done with his lessons, he moved to Florida and started riding for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
"I am very blessed, I had a lot of people teaching me," Torres said. "My advice to young guys starting is to focus and listen, that's the best thing to do. There are a lot of people that want to help, so you just got to listen and try hard."
It didn't take long for Torres, who had never ridden a horse before entering exercise riding school, to become a jockey. He rode in his first race Aug. 12, 2022, at Gulfstream Park and picked up his first victory a just more than a month later.
"I love (the horses)," Torres said. "As soon as I get on them, I feel very comfortable."
After Seize the Grey fell short of making the Kentucky Derby field, he received the call to get on board the son of Arrogate for the Pat Day Mile. Now, the 25-year-old is heading to one of racing's biggest stages.
"It's very special. This is my first year as a journeyman," Torres said. "Having that opportunity, I am very happy."
The Preakness will also bring Torres' journey full circle. The 2020 Kentucky Derby was the first held after his dream of becoming a jockey was born. The race was won by Authentic , who like Seize the Grey was wearing the silks of owner MyRacehorse.
When Torres rode Seize the Grey to his maiden victory July 29 at Saratoga Race Course, he couldn't help but be in awe.
"When I rode Seize the Grey for the first time, there was that silk in my locker and I was like, "Wow, I'm going to ride for MyRacehorse,'" Torres recalled. "I won that race with Seize the Grey, that's why I am very emotional with them."
With Seize the Grey, Torres will have the opportunity to carry the silks into the winner's circle to the admiration of the thousands of MyRacehorse shareholders. Despite the fact that Seize the Grey cut back to a one-turn mile in the Pat Day, Torres feels confident that he has a chance to stretch out and earn a coveted grade 1 victory.
"He's going to be fine. He's by Arrogate," Torres said. "I trust Wayne, he's always very positive."
