‘I’m A Very Blessed Guy’: Orlando Mojica Registers Career Win No. 2,500

Orlando Mojica in the Indiana Grand winner’s circle with track executive Eric Halstrom

In only the second day of action for the 2021 season at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., jockey Orlando Mojica hit win 2,500 aboard Sky Judge in the afternoon’s seventh race Wednesday. It was Mojica’s only mount of the day and only his third start of the season thus far in Indiana.

“I thought I was going to get it at Oaklawn (Arkansas) and I came really close, winning my 2,499th race there,” said Mojica, who has several leading jockey titles to his name at Indiana Grand. “This is very exciting day for me. I’m a very blessed guy.”

Mojica won the jockey title at Indiana Grand during the inaugural season in 2003 and then returned for back-to-back wins in 2008 and ’09. The multiple graded stakes-winning jockey has garnered success at nearly every racetrack he has ridden at, including Canterbury Park in Minnesota, where he recorded his 2,000th win in 2016. The native of Puerto Rico also won leading rider titles at Ellis Park and at Hoosier Park before all Thoroughbred racing was moved to Indiana Grand in 2013.

Mojica also scored his 1,000th career win at Indiana Grand. He is still ranked third on the list of all-time winning jockeys at Indiana Grand. Since his riding career began in 2000, he has ridden in more than 17,700 races and accumulated in excess of $45 million in purse earnings.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Monday, Nov. 8. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. In addition, six all-Quarter Horse racing dates are set on select Saturdays starting June 5 at 10 a.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at 12 p.m. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.indianagrand.com.

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