Jockey Serpa returns home after winning in China

by | Nov 3, 2018 | Breaking, Maryland, MD Racing, Racing

Jockey Angel Serpa. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.

From a Maryland Jockey Club release

Even without a mount on the program, journeyman rider Angel Serpa accepted congratulations in Laurel Park’s jockey’s room Friday for coming home a winner following his first trip to China.

Serpa, 30, represented the United States and the Maryland Jockey Club at the 16th annual China Wuhan International Horse Racing Festival at Orient Lucky City Wuhan International Racecourse.

The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native captured the International Jockeys’ Race, a 1,200-meter event contested clockwise around the sand-based track. One of China’s largest cities, Wuhan is the capital of central China’s Hubei province with a population of nearly 11 million.

“I’m feeling so thankful to everyone,” Serpa said. “I was the only U.S. rider over there and it was a really good experience. It was the first time I had ever ridden there and to win, that’s the exciting part when you pass the wire in front. I am very grateful to be there and represent Maryland.”

Serpa, a finalist for the 2010 Eclipse Award as top apprentice who owns 723 career wins and is married to Delaware Park’s leading rider, Carol Cedeno, said he prepared for the race the same way he does on his home circuit.

“I just watched replays of my horse and he was always [competitive]. When he goes outside, he wants to win,” Serpa said. “When I saw the replays, my horse had a chance. There were better horses in the race, but I know how I wanted to ride him and I used my experience. I thought I had a big shot.”

Serpa’s lone mount of the weekend comes in Sunday’s second race aboard Jacks or Better Farm homebred Bayou’s Legacy for trainer Ken Decker.

The opportunity for Serpa to participate in the festival came after a Chinese delegation made a visit to Laurel and asked MJC President and General Manager Sal Sinatra and Vice President of Racing Development Georganne Hale if Laurel would be interested in recommending a rider to represent The Stronach Group track.

“I want to thank Georganne, Sal and Mr. [Frank] Stronach for giving me the opportunity to go there and represent the United States and the Maryland Jockey Club,” Serpa said.