Jockey Israel Ocampo
Born: 10/08/1986, Mexico City, Mexico
Resides: Chicago, Illinois
Family: Unmarried
Israel rode full time at Oaklawn in 2008 and finished tenth in the overall standings with 24 winners out of 179 mounts. A graduate of the Hipodromo de las Americas track in Mexico City, he says he particularly enjoys riding in Arkansas.
“That was my first season at Oaklawn,” he enthused.
His horses earned an aggregate $491,346 for the meeting.
“I had a good year throughout in 2008. I won 120 races, including a stakes on Wayazata Boy. I kind of bounced around from track to track last year. I hope to soon establish a regular circuit,” said Israel. A lot of good riders have come out of Hipodromo de las Americas and get established in the United States.
“Americans don’t hear a lot of the Mexico City track, but it owns a colorful history. At one time some American jockeys rode there regularly and American trainers trained,” said Ocampo.
In 1945, Big Racket, a filly, set a world record of 20 4/5 for a quarter mile over a straight course in winning the Premio el Charro on Constitution Day at the Mexico City Track. Pichirilo established a world mark of: 26 3/5 for two and a half furlongs. Manzanero ran a half mile in .45 1/5. Manzanero later beat Katy’s Prince in a fabled 1955 match and Gay Dalton became a house hold name with American fans by winning major races in Mexico City.
On April 8, 1945, Oaklawn’s own Henry Forrest won the Derby Mexicano at the Hipodromo.
“Racing is a local thing there now. I don’t recall any Americans being there when I rode there. But, long time fans still talk of its golden days back in times of Checkerhall, Gay Dalton, Big Racket and Manzanero,” said Ocampo.
While Israel was riding in Mexico City, his brother Isaac was in New York galloping horses for John Kimmel.
“So I went to New York with hopes of breaking in as a jockey. But, I couldn’t speak a word of English and that worked against me. It took me seven months to get to riding. Meanwhile, I worked learning English,” said Ocampo.