Rafael Bejarano

[AQUEBUCKS]

A fearless kid who is living the American Dream! Here is a kid who grew up in a poor/depressed area of Peru. I have been there and seen it for myself. (Callao, Peru) Poverty an understatement. Walk the streets there and they will cut your throat for a buck.

I heard Rafael used to hang out by the Racing Secretary's office at River Downs when the Jockey agents showed up and pleaded for someone to take his book.

I was at the Race Palace in Plainview, NY one evening. Angel Cordero, Jorge Velasquez, Michael Miceli, Joseph Brocklebank and a few others in a Partnership known as "Triumph Racing" were soliciting shares in some horses they owned. They put on a decent spread of food and drink. Angel and Jorge sit down at my table and pull out some brochures etc... after casual conversation about his rider Johnny "V" and prospective apprentice Rajiv Maragh, I asked Angel what he thought about Rafael Bejarano and his winning percentage at Turfway Park. His reply:

"He no coming to New Jork and riding like dat" Well I would say that was somewhat of an under statement coming from a Hall of Fame Jockey.

[juanepstein]

he has the best timing in the business.

amazing how hes always in the right spot at the right time.

[point given]

I really like the guy. He shows up making the right moves time and again. His spirit is also infectious to me, which is nice to see, as so many try to be stone faces. To me he is an exciting rider and gives 100 % . :ThmbUp:

[westny]

I'd joke with my pals at OTB the last few seasons when we reviewed the KY circuit...CD and Keeneland...we'd say, "Berajano, Berajano, Berajano..."


Berajano did ride in NY a few years ago as a "bug", if I recall, and was as good then as he is now....winning at SA...and where ever he rides.

[Si2see]

he came to colonial downs for the virginia derby 2 years ago, and what a great guy. Just got off a mount, had a mount in the next race, and still stopped to sign my 15 year old brothers program. great guy, and even better rider. :ThmbUp:

[AQUEBUCKS]

Putting on another clinic in Southern California. Is Joe Ferrer that good of an Agent, or is this kid something special?

I don't recall Eibar Coa doing this good (outside of Florida) when he had his book. RB is the REAL DEAL!

[Hajck Hillstrom]

....through 7 races at SA today.

[Pcon04]

lefthandlow
Registered User


Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Ma
Posts: 191
vCash: 3600 rafael

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He's to good for the NY jockey coloney.He'll be the guy to beat on the short price horses CUZ he'll be riding or at least being bet down to the chalk most days if he's on anything that looks good.He's
4/5 to win the jockey title that's my ML ..LL

[AQUEBUCKS]

God I pray he is alright...Very unfortunate incident today...

[rokitman]

God I pray he is alright...Very unfortunate incident today...Still unknown if anything broke? I read that he was conscious and moving but in a lot of pain.

[cnollfan]

Rafael is one of my favorites. I hope he will be OK.

[jotb]

I just watched the race but never seen where the horse went down. It looked to me going into the turn he was safely in the back of the pack in a blink of any eye. It looked to me at that point he had stopped riding. I know the horse suffered a heart attack but I wonder how RB was hurt. When I watched the head on that part of the race was not there. The horse probably went down inside the 1/8th pole. Did anyone here see the race live at the track?

Joe

[BombsAway Bob]

Rafael is one of my favorites. I hope he will be OK.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44070&source=rss (http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44070&source=rss)

[David-LV]

I just watched the race but never seen where the horse went down. It looked to me going into the turn he was safely in the back of the pack in a blink of any eye. It looked to me at that point he had stopped riding. I know the horse suffered a heart attack but I wonder how RB was hurt. When I watched the head on that part of the race was not there. The horse probably went down inside the 1/8th pole. Did anyone here see the race live at the track?

Joe

Here is the latest on his condition.

_______
David

Bejarano out indefinitely with fractured vertebra


http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/images/rafael-bejarano-ntra.jpgRAFAEL BEJARANO NTRA photo
by Jeff Lowe (jlowe@thoroughbredtimes.com)

Rafael Bejarano, Santa Anita Park’s leading rider, is out indefinitely with a compressed fracture of a vertebra in the middle of his back, suffered in a spill on Thursday.

Bejarano was unseated when his mount, Parisian Art, sustained an apparent fatal heart attack in the final furlong of the eighth race. Bejarano had eased his mount to the back of the 12-horse field.

Parisian Art dropped to the ground, launching Bejarano headfirst to the surface. He was taken by ambulance to Arcadia Methodist Hospital across the street and diagnosed following an MRI.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2008/March/14/Bejarano-injured-in-spill-taken-to-hospital.aspx

[BombsAway Bob]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/92968.html (http://www.drf.com/news/article/92968.html)

[zoobird]

Who gets the mount on Georgie Boy with Bejarano out?