After a brief retirement, Tony Martin is back - and this time the veteran jockey agent is representing Jamison Mudd, an apprentice rider at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
"I've seen some good ones come, and some good ones go," Martin said. "I think this kid has got a lot of talent."
There is little doubt that Martin knows talent when he sees it -- and how to guide a young rider to success. His work as Joe Talamo's agent stands as a highlight of his career. During the 2006-07 meet, Talamo captured the Fair Grounds riding title and later earned the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey.
"I've been watching (Mudd) since the first weekend he rode at Louisiana Downs and I liked what I saw," Martin said. "He rides like an older rider, you know what I'm saying? Switches sticks, three or four times if he needs to, down the lane. He can split horses if he has to."
Mudd is an 18-year-old native of Lafayette, Louisiana. A third-generation horseman, he has the polish and charisma of so many born and raised in the "cradle of jockeys" that have come before him.
"He is a very polite kid," Martin said. "He's got class. He represents himself really well."
Just four months into his first year, Mudd owns a 4-13-9 record from 104 mounts (as of Jan. 10). Still seeking his first victory at Fair Grounds, he has four seconds and three thirds from 40 starts, though Martin assumed management of his book only at the beginning of January.
"All we're riding are the long shots right now, but I hope that can change," Martin said.
Only 15 of Mudd's 104 calls have gone off at 5-1 or lower, yet his mounts have consistently outrun their odds.
"About two weeks ago he ran second and got beat a head on a horse that was 165-1 for Kevin Williams," Martin said. "In a maiden special weight on the turf. He put a beautiful ride on that horse."
Before becoming a licensed jockey, Mudd worked as an exercise rider in Louisiana and Kentucky, most notably for Kenny McPeek, where he rode Mystik Dan ahead of his Kentucky Derby 150 victory, as well as Take Charge Milady prior to her run in Kentucky Oaks 151.
Beginning his career in 1986, Martin has represented some of the state's top riders, including Corey Lanerie, Robbie Albarado, E.J. Perrodin and Kirk LeBlanc. He sees the potential for a similar path in Mudd -- and others in the jockeys' room agree.
"I know Jamison Mudd doesn't have a win here this meet but I'm telling you, there's a lot of jockeys in the room that have gone out of their way to tell me, 'this guy is going to be good,'" said Joe Kristufek, Fair Grounds' lead racing analyst. "For his peers to say that makes me think it's only a matter of time."
With Martin coming out of retirement to guide him, Mudd is a developing rider worth keeping tabs on.
"We just gotta get on the right horses," Martin said.
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