Former champion jockey Dick Cardenas is eyeing a return to riding at Caymanas Park, two years after injuries sustained in a fall there threatened to end his career.
Cardenas, who is from Los Santos, Panama, won the jockeys title at Caymanas Park in 2011 and has ridden 771 winners.
The 39-year-old believes he has the goods to be competitive against younger riders.
“I love the game and I’m good at it. I have a nice weight (108 pounds) at the moment, and I’m working hard at getting fit,” said Cardenas.
Cardenas suffered broken ribs and damaged lungs at Caymanas Park during late 2021. He returned to riding in April 2022 but took another extended break in the United States when it was discovered his injuries had not properly healed.
He recently returned to Jamaica and since then has been at work in the mornings. He is currently waiting on clearance from the Racing Commission to officially restart his career.
Cardenas first came to Caymanas in 2008, three years after making his racing debut in his native country. Cardenas was contracted to ride for trainer Percy Hussey with whom he had considerable success.
Highlights of his Jamaican career include successive Derby victories in 2010 and 2011 with Mark my Word for trainer Richard Azan and Technomoto for Anthony Nunes. He won the 2010 triple crown (which also included the 2000 Guineas and St Leger) aboard Mark my Word in 2010.
Cardenas has ridden extensively in the United States at Kentucky tracks such as Keeneland and Churchill Downs; Hawthorne in Chicago; Arlington in Virginia; and Gulfstream in Florida. At his estimate, he rode over 100 winners in the US, especially at Hawthorne.
While rating general racing standards in the US as “very competitive”, Cardenas says nothing beats riding at Caymanas Park.
“The people here love their racing, the excitement is really nice. The public gets involved in the races, in the US the place is silent,” he disclosed.
