Puerto Rico's legendary jockey Juan Carlos Diaz, the country's leading jockey the past 16 years and the all-time leader in stakes victories, will begin riding at Gulfstream Park West Friday.
With no racing being conducted at Puerto Rico's main racetrack, Camarero, due to the effects of Hurricane Maria, Diaz has decided to move his tack to South Florida. According to Diaz's agent, Charlie Benitez, Diaz will remain in Florida through the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, which will be held at Gulfstream Park as part of the Championship Meet Saturday, Dec. 9.
“I'm sure his numbers and experience will help him have a good response from trainers and owners,” Benitez said.
Diaz has won 4,530 races. He has had the occasional mount in the U.S., but has never stayed for an extended period of time.
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