ROBERTO GONZALEZ
Born: July 27, 1954, Micheacon, Mexico
The dean of the Northern California jockey colony, he had 4,256 career victories through July 16, 2008
Scored win No. 4,000 aboard 31-to-1 shot Peek a Bootrando in the seventh race at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 20, 2006.
Crafty veteran is known for his great success with speed horses.
Owns riding championships at both Bay Meadows (1979-80 season) and Golden Gate Fields (1980).
Finished second in the jockey standings at the 2006 fall meeting at Bay Meadows with 38 victories. Has been the second-leading rider at Bay Meadows two other times (2005 winter/spring meet, 1978 meet).
Placed second in the rider standings at Golden Gate Fields at the 2005 fall meeting. Has been the second-leading jockey at Golden Gate Fields five times – 2005 fall meeting, 1997-1998 season, 1996-1997 season, 1979 season, and 1978 season.
Has finished third in the jockey standings six times at Bay Meadows and four times at Golden Gate Fields.
Scored one of the biggest upsets in Northern California racing history when he hustled Avenging Force to a win over 1-to-10 favorite King Glorious in the Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in 1989.
Piloted the New Zealand-bred Leonotis to a shocking win over the great John Henry in the 1979 Bay Meadows Handicap.
Was aboard Stormin’ Lyon when the 4-year-old colt set a course record at Hollywood Park – five furlongs on the turf in 55.62 seconds – while winning the 2005 Bullet Stakes.
Was the regular rider of Ema Bovary, a Chilean-bred who ranked as one of the top sprint mares in the U.S. in 2003-2004. He won several stakes with Ema Bovary, including the Grade II Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder in 2004.
Has won many major stakes in the Bay Area, including the Grade II San Francisco Mile (Don Alberto, 1980), California Derby (twice, with Mr. Technique in 2003 and Stalwart Charger in 1990), Golden Gate Breeders’ Cup Handicap (Tronare, 2004), Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Handicap (Mister Acpen, 2003), Golden Gate Derby (Standard Setter, 2003), Bay Meadows Derby (Fleet Tempo, 1980), Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Court’s In Session, 2004), Berkeley Handicap (three times, with Spellbinder in 2006, Desert Boom in 2005 and I’madrifter in 2003), Oakland Handicap (Mr. Doubledown, 2000), and Miss America Handicap (Gourmet Girl, 1999).
Won five stakes in less than month during the spring of 2003, including a pair of $100,000 events (the Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields with I’madrifter and the California Derby at Bay Meadows with Mr. Technique).
Rode in match races in his native Mexico as a teenager and came to the U.S. at age 16 to work on a thoroughbred ranch in San Clemente, California. Began galloping horses for trainer Jerry Dutton at Hollywood Park in 1972 and took out his jockey’s license in 1974.
Earned his first victory at Hollywood Park on May 2, 1975, aboard Sawtooth.
Was the leading apprentice rider in Southern California in 1976.
Moved his tack to the Bay Area in 1978.
Enjoyed a career best day when he scored with five of his seven mounts on May 25, 1996, at Golden Gate Fields.