Juarez Prepares for First Kentucky Derby Experience

Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers and jockeys as they travel the road to the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3. This week's installment features jockey Nik Juarez, 31, who is on course for his first Kentucky Derby aboard American Promise. The promising colt is a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. He is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, a living legend as he pursues his fifth Derby triumph at age 89. American Promise secured a berth in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May when he captured the March 15 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs by a commanding 7 3/4 lengths for Juarez. A native of Westminster, Md., and a former high school wrestler, Juarez won with his first mount on Dec. 14, 2013 at Laurel Park. He is represented by retired jockey and Racing Hall of Fame member Gary Stevens. Juarez discussed how American Promise reminds him of Justify, his strong relationship with Stevens, and his through-the-roof excitement as he awaits his first Derby during a question-and-answer session conducted by America's Best Racing. PEDULLA: What led you to start riding? JUAREZ: My mom (Carol Linton) galloped horses and rode until she was about 7 1/2 months pregnant. So I've been on a horse since the womb. My dad (Calixto) actually won a race on the day I was born (at Delaware Park). PEDULLA: Do you remember how old you were when you learned to ride? JUAREZ: I really don't remember when I learned to ride. I'm the fourth generation. My grandfather on mom's side was an outrider in Maryland for 30-some years. It's just always been in my blood. I've always ridden. I didn't start galloping horses until I was 18, 19, which is a late start for most people. I just didn't know what I wanted to do yet, but I always knew that I had to ride horses. PEDULLA: When did you decide to become at jockey? JUAREZ: At 18. PEDULLA: You wrestled in high school. Is there anything from that experience that helps you in your career? JUAREZ: Absolutely. It's the greatest feeling to have your hand raised, that feeling of triumph. It can be one of your lowest moments on the mat when you are next to the person getting his hand raised. In this game, if you're a 20 percent rider, you're doing pretty well. So how do you stay consistent? You have to shake it off and approach the next match or the next race with the same enthusiasm I did the first time. PEDULLA: Are there certain qualities wrestling instilled in you? JUAREZ: Absolutely. It's mental toughness, knowing how much you put in is how much you are going to get out. It applies to my life so much. It goes back to watching your weight, cutting weight when applicable. PEDULLA: You began wintering at Oaklawn Park in November, 2022. What was the appeal? JUAREZ: The purses here are some of the best or the best in the nation. It's definitely a place to find a Derby horse. It's a lucrative place to be throughout the winter. PEDULLA: How long has Gary Stevens represented you? JUAREZ: Gary has represented me each winter at Oaklawn. PEDULLA: What is that relationship like? Given everything he accomplished during a Hall of Fame career, does he help you improve your skills? JUAREZ: They always say, 'Iron sharpens iron.' That is one of the great proverbs from the Bible. He's accomplished a lot. I get to talk to him every day after the races. Every morning he sends me a prayer that Mike Smith shares with him. It's a great support system. PEDULLA: Does he critique your races? JUAREZ: I'm not going to say I don't make mistakes. We all make mistakes. But after the races he'll say, 'Man, I love watching you. It's watching a young G. Stevens.' To me, that's a big boost of confidence. To take what he says holds a lot of weight. PEDULLA: What is your biggest win to date? JUAREZ: The biggest win to date, obviously, would be the Virginia Derby. To be on the road to the roses is a dream come true. PEDULLA: I believe you had never done a fist pump? Did you do one after the Virginia Derby or are you still saving that? JUAREZ: I did actually do one after the Virginia Derby. When I looked back and saw the lead he had and he was increasing the margin, it was a very exciting moment. PEDULLA: Did you have any idea American Promise would run as well as he did in the Virginia Derby? JUAREZ: I watched his replays. I even watched his father's replays, Justify. He worked very well. I got to work him from the gate. I was impressed by how well he went into the gate. After that, I had a lot of confidence in him. He's a big horse. I sent him pretty hard that day. I wanted to put a little distance between myself and the rest of the field. When (early pacesetter) Getaway Car got there, I had enough space to get him outside and give him that outside run. PEDULLA: When the Virginia Derby ended, did you realize you had punched a ticket to the Kentucky Derby? JUAREZ: For sure, I knew it then. Obviously, that's what we were there for. PEDULLA: How has American Promise done since the Virginia Derby? JUAREZ: He came back really happy. He's a really cool horse to be around. I even asked the groom, 'Is he eating all his feed?' He said, 'Oh, he eats it all.' He sleeps good. That's what you want in a horse. It's just very cool to be around a horse of his quality, his talent and his size. And he has a very good temperament, which is what you want to see in colts. PEDULLA: What is it like to ride for D. Wayne Lukas? JUAREZ: Wayne is a legend. Before I even got to ride for him, I told my son, 'There is a person I want you to meet and his name is D. Wayne Lukas.' I just knew the importance of that man. It's great to ride for him and his wife, Laurie. She's a real sweetheart. PEDULLA: How do you think American Promise will fare in the Kentucky Derby? JUAREZ: Going back to the 2018 Kentucky Derby, it's uncanny how similar American Promise is to his father. You hope to be blessed with a good post position. It would be cool to get number seven like his father, but I will take seven or out just because he's a big horse and I'm going to have to get him into the race. PEDULLA: Does he want to be on or close to the lead? JUAREZ: Once you get him to his cruising speed, he has a different cruising speed from other horses. Going back to the 2018 Kentucky Derby and his father, you have to let him gather his stride and not take it away from him. In the Virginia Derby, that was a long stretch for him and he never lost focus, which sometimes young horses can do. PEDULLA: That has to be a great sign. JUAREZ: For sure. PEDULLA: Do you allow yourself to dream about what it would be like to win the Derby with American Promise? JUAREZ: For sure. It's giving me chills right now. You try to imagine grabbing those roses and throwing them up in the air. To envision that, I think it's very important. I hope American Promise is the one to do that for me.