Rispoli, Stevens Removed From Plane En Route to Saudi Cup ... Several major shifts in riding assignments were underway Friday morning after Umberto Rispoli and John Velazquez were not allowed to fly to Saudi Arabia due to a mixup in flight arrangements . ARCADIA, Calif. - Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will remain in a Pasadena hospital for four or five more days after undergoing emergency surgery Saturday afternoon to remove his spleen,. John R. Velazquez - Wikipedia John Velazquez was born in Puerto Rico in 1971 where he learned to ride thoroughbred horses. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez to ride fulltime at ... This time, Bob Baffert . Medina Spirit won the 147th Kentucky Derby. See the scenes ... One such Facebook post shows a picture of Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, with the accompanying text reading, "BREAKING NEWS Derby winner Medina Spirit's jockey John Velazquez turned down a White House invite today saying 'if I wanted to see a horse's ass I would of came in second.'" John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson Velazquez was injured on November 2 at Santa Anita Racetrack when his mount, Secret Compass, broke down during the running of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic (R) crosses the finish line to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 5, 2020. John Velazquez's height is 5 feet 6 inches tall with his weight being 112 lbs, as per this site. Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby win ... Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic, right, crosses the finish line to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff . With horse racing having gotten back on track after being shut down by the pandemic, two . Medina Spirit, Kentucku Derby winner collapses, dies in ... Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby win ... Kentucky Derby 2021 Lineup: Full Race Guide for All Horses ... Find everything you need to know about horse racing at Equibase.com. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . p. Gregory Bull Lowest riding weight in last 12 months. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 1 . John R. Velazquez (born November 24, 1971) is a Puerto Rican jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.He began his career in Puerto Rico and moved to New York in 1990. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — John Velazquez was in a familiar place, in the lead aboard Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby and holding off the stretch bid of three challengers. Trainer Todd Pletcher was 1-for-45. June 13, 2020 2:42pm. In 1990 he won the first race he rode as a professional jockey. ELMONT, N.Y. - Jockey John Velazquez is already part of an exclusive club when it comes to Kentucky Derby riders. You could call it beginner's luck, except that . By Richard Rosenblatt. AP. FILE - John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., in this Saturday, May 1, 2021, file photo. Smith is riding Midnight Bourbon and . In 1990 he won the first race he rode as a professional jockey. Instead, Rombauer will be ridden by jockey John Velazquez, a four-time Kentucky Derby champion and two-time Belmont winner. Both Rombauer and Hot Rod Charlie have short odds heading into the . Velazquez to Ride Full-Time at Santa Anita This Winter. The day before%2C Velazquez rode Verrazano to victory in the Wood Memorial; Velazquez said he will ride in the Kentucky Derby; John Velazquez, who has been riding the top two favorites for the . John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . Velazquez, 50, still is considered one . Velazquez, 50, still is considered one of best riders in the game, having won four Kentucky Derbies and 18 Breeders' Cup races. Jockey John Velazquez was 1-for-18 at the Derby. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, right, leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun, Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie and Luis Saez on Essential Quality to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby . Medina Spirit, ridden by veteran jockey John Valazquez, won the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday to give famed trainer Bob Baffert his record seventh win. Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic, second right, leads the field to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark . John Velazquez will arrive at Churchill Downs with the most impressive credentials of any rider in the Kentucky Derby. Jeff Roberson / Associated Press John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at . He won his fifth Saratoga riding title in 2011. John Cherwa - Los Angeles Times (TNS) 53 min ago LOS ANGELES — Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be riding full time at Santa Anita this winter, the first time the native of Puerto Rico . Jockey John Velazquez, Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild, continues to recover at his home in Long Island, New York. Velazquez, 50, still is considered one of best riders in. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . John Velazquez has his sights set on another Kentucky Derby win this weekend. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit throws a rose after his victory in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson He was born in the year 1971 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and is now residing in the United States. (Jeff Roberson/AP Photo) "Tiz has been able to pass horses all year and today he ran into one he couldn't get by," Knowlton said. Each silenced the skeptics with a win in advance of what remains an elusive title for both: the Preakness. Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic (18) heads to the finish line to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff . John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, right, leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun, Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie and Luis Saez on Essential Quality to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . Medina Spirit won by a half-length on Saturday, giving Baffert his seventh victory, the most of any trainer in the race's 147-year history. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . LOS ANGELES — Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be riding full time at Santa Anita this winter, the first time the native of Puerto Rico has done so. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . The riding talents of Velasquez were so strong that they got the attention of Angel Cordero, Jr. who was then a jockey agent after completing his own Hall of Fame racing career. Not everything has gone smoothly in the final days before the $20 million Saudi Cup, particularly for top U.S.-based jockeys John Velazquez and Umberto Rispoli.. A combination of COVID-19 travel protocols and poor planning by racing officials led to both riders being prevented from making the trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the world's richest horse race on Saturday. After assisting with care of his cancer-stricken mother-in-law in New York, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez returned to Florida on Thursday night to start a required two-week quarantine before he's able to ride again. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . For the first time in his illustrious 32-year career, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride full-time this winter at Santa Anita Park, beginning on the track's opening day Dec. 26. The Hall of Famer will be riding Always Dreaming at this year's 143rd Derby, and is one of the most decorated riders . John Velazquez rides Always Dreaming to victory at the Kentucky Derby in 1997. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit throws a rose after his victory in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) "Credit Authentic. The jockey is 49 years old and his birthday falls on November 24. Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic, second right, leads the field to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark . . Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic, right, crosses the finish line to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff . John Velazquez was in a familiar place, in the lead aboard Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby and holding off the stretch bid of three challengers. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, right, leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun, Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie and Luis Saez on Essential Quality to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby . traffic at the top of the lane and was poised to pounce in upper stretch with a bid to the outside of Zandon and jockey John Velazquez. Hall Of Famer John Velazquez Will Ride Full-Time At Santa Anita This Winter For the first time in his illustrious 32-year career, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride full-time this winter. Joel Rosario rides Knicks Go, left, to victory past John Velazquez, riding Medina Spirit, during the Breeders' Cup Classic race at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 . Velazquez has had a long partnership with trainer Todd Pletcher, and they have won dozens of stakes races together. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . GB Flat last 5 seasons Jan 2017 - Dec 2021. down. Download Today's Edition . It was a second Kentucky Derby triumph in the span of four years for Velazquez. The riding talents of Velasquez were so strong that they got the attention of Angel Cordero, Jr. who was then a jockey agent after completing his own Hall of Fame racing career. Joe Labozzetta/NYRA John Velazquez, shown winning the Suburban aboard Tacitus, will not be able to ride the Bill Mott . Velazquez won the Kentucky Derby for the first time in 2011 aboard Animal Kingdom, rode the filly Rags to Riches to victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes and has won 10 Breeders' Cup races. . Velazquez notched his third Derby win in 2020 aboard eventual Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year Authentic. COVID restrictions will keep Rispoli, Velazquez from riding on Saudi Cup card. GB Flat last 5 seasons Jan 2017 - Dec 2021 GB Flat current season Jan 2021 - Dec 2021. w. r. %. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . Riding Authentic for the first time in competition, Velazquez made his debut on the new mount with an upset victory in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Gregory Bull/AP Show More Show Less 5 of 21 Joel Rosario rides Knicks Go, left, to victory past John Velazquez, riding Medina Spirit, during the Breeders' Cup Classic race at the Del Mar racetrack . In 2004 and 2005 he was the United States Champion Jockey by earnings and both years was given the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey.He was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, rode his 5,000th winner in 2013, and . John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2021. Welcome to Equibase.com, your official source for horse racing results, mobile racing data, statistics as well as all other horse racing and thoroughbred racing information. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . [Velazquez] was riding his . John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, right, leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun, Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie and Luis Saez on Essential Quality to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby . Joel Rosario rides Knicks Go, left, to victory past John Velazquez, riding Medina Spirit, during the Breeders' Cup Classic race at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquezwill be riding fulltime at Santa Anitathis winter, the first time the native of Puerto Rico has done so. John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit, right, leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun, Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie and Luis Saez on Essential Quality to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Joel Rosario rides Knicks Go, left, to victory past John Velazquez, riding Medina Spirit, during the Breeders' Cup Classic race at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 . John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . This time, Bob Baffert couldn't believe what he was seeing. John Velazquez was born in Puerto Rico in 1971 where he learned to ride thoroughbred horses. 8-4. John Velazquez is no stranger to Derby success, as he's won the race three times, with Animal Kingdom (2011), Always Dreaming (2017) and Authentic (2020). John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1 . Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be riding fulltime at Santa Anita this winter, the first time the native of Puerto Rico has done so. Jockey John Velazquez riding Authentic, right, crosses the finish line to win the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Jeff Roberson Trainer Bob Baffert holds the trophy after John Velazquez, left, rode Authentic to victory in the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5 . The 2012 Hall of Fame inductee is one of just eight riders to have at least 20 mounts through the Run for the Roses' previous 144 iterations. For the first time in his illustrious 32-year career, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will ride full-time this winter at Santa Anita Park .