HALLANDALE BEACH - Jockey Carlos Martinez rode his first winner on only his third career mount Sunday at Gulfstream Park, but the 45-year-old apprentice has been waiting a lifetime for his boyhood dream to come true.

    Martinez, who rode in a few unofficial apprentice races in his native Venezuela before losing a battle with the scales and venturing to the U.S. in 2012, has been an exercise rider for trainer Mike Maker for five years and trainer Chad Brown for three years but never gave up on his dream.

    “I always wanted to be a jockey,” Martinez said through an interpreter.

    After finishing off the board with two mounts Saturday, Martinez sent Carlos Perez-trained Saybrook ($9.60) right to the lead in Sunday’s Race 4, a 6 ½-furlong sprint for $8000 claimers, and rode the 4-year-old gelding with urgency in the stretch to eke out a long-awaited first career victory by the margin of a neck.

    “I thank God. I’m very excited,” said a very emotional Martinez in the Gulfstream winner’s circle. “I thank the trainers for the opportunity.”

    Martinez has been named on one mount on Friday’s Gulfstream program, Nolan Ramsey-trained Torch is Passed in Race 9. comments powered by Disqus