Patrolling the Track
Day in and day out, the outriders of Oaklawn Park rise with the sun and fall with the sun. They protect the well being of the horses that make it to the dirt track, as well as the people that climb aboard the thousand pound athletes. The outriders have to make split second decisions everyday, which could have a positive or negative outcome.
John “Chisum” Ewing and Furrel Good (pictured) patrol the Oaklawn track, and use their horse sense on a daily basis as the outriders at Oaklawn. Both come from families that influence the sport of kings. Ewing will be most recognized as the son of trainer Kim Ewing, and blacksmith Ben Ewing. Good’s father, Dennis, trains horses at Prairie Meadows, where he usually places among the top 10 trainers.
Both Ewing and Good are the youngest outriders in Oaklawn history. One day shy of his 21st birthday, Ewing and Good, who is 21, knew that being an outrider was the job for them.
“I have wanted to be an outrider since I could remember, I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to do it at such a young age, but I was lucky enough to get the chance from Oaklawn, and I am grateful,” chatted Ewing. “This is a tough job, but it is such a rush. I wouldn’t change what I do for anything.”
“I enjoy my job, I consider myself lucky to work around the people I do and to get to work around horses full time. It’s what I have wanted for awhile,” smiled Good. “There is always something new to learn everyday at work, and I like the fact that I can expect the unexpected at the racetrack. I kind of fell into outriding, and I have enjoyed it.”
The duties of an outrider include patrolling the racetrack in the morning during training hours, accompanying the horses from the paddock to the gate, and if anything should go wrong with a horse to help out where needed.
“Our ponies play a crucial part of our job. My best pony, Beau, is a retired thoroughbred that I found when he was being poorly treated. I and he are good partners, and he has worked hard for me,” commented Ewing. “I don’t know what is going to happen from one moment to the next, and having a good pony plays an important role in our job.”
“My best pony is Lad; I’ve had him for three years. You have to have a horse that trusts you, and you must trust him,” chimed in Good. “He’s there whether it is rainy and cold or sunny and warm. It is also important to have good teamwork with your fellow outriders. People notice teamwork, me and Chisum work well together. This job is demanding, and it’s nice to have a partner that you are friends with as well.”
Ewing and Good will follow the Oaklawn meeting with the Arlington Park meet in May. In the mean time both will be there at the start of every day, and be there at the end of day, eager to rise or fall and face the challenge of a new day.
Ocampo Climbing the Standings
In his second season at Oaklawn, Israel Ocampo (pictured) has slowly climbed into the top five jockeys. As of Saturday’s fifth race Ocampo and Jon Court were tied with 15 winners apiece. The young rider, who came to America from Mexico and spoke very little English, has slowly built up his business across the Midwest.
At 23, Ocampo finished the 2008 meeting at Oaklawn tenth in the standings with 24 winners. “I have been working hard in the mornings. There are trainers putting me on horses now that have seen how hard I have worked. I have had the good fortune to ride horses for D. Wayne Lukas, Steve Hobby, Mac Robertson, and Chris Richard,” commented the rider in between races on Saturday. “I try to get on a lot of horses each morning. I try to be at the barn on time, my agent Lindy McDaniel works hard for me, so I need to work for him. Lindy also works for Eddie Razo, who is a good friend and gives me good advice.”
“It is important to watch races at other racetracks. I watch other jockeys that are in the news a lot and lead at their respected track. I want to learn as much as possible, so I study them and take from it what I can,” commented Ocampo. “Eddie told me when I started to ride to ‘be aggressive, assume responsibility, develop confidence and don’t be afraid to take a chance.’ I always remember that whenever I’m on a horse. Confidence is a great thing. You must believe in yourself.”
Ocampo has come close to winning his first stakes race of the meeting. “I have run second in five different stakes races here. Twice, I just barely missed, but I will get one before the meet is over. I’m confident in that,” promised the jockey. “Oaklawn has been a good place to learn, and I hope to continue my good success.”
Ocampo will be riding next Saturday at Turfway Park for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Hard work does pay off, just ask Ocampo, who will have his best Oaklawn meeting to date.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Hal Wiggins Rachel Alexandra (pictured) continued her campaign as one of the top Kentucky Oaks contenders in the Fair Grounds Oaks today. The Martha Washington Stakes winner took her second race of the year at Fair Grounds winning by one length and three-quarters under wraps by jockey Calvin Borel.
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