Lopez dreaming big after Derby win

Apprentice jockey Delano Lopez says he is now one step closer to his ultimate dream of riding in the coveted Sandy Lane Gold Cup next year, after winning the 2020 Barbados Derby on Boxing Day last weekend.

The 22-year-old partnered with 1-2 favourite War Eagle, co-owned by West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite, to beat the three-year-olds over 10 furlongs at the Garrison Savannah, and clinch the feature on the day’s 13-race card.

During an interview with Barbados TODAY, the 22-year-old Lopez said his career dream was to become a professional jockey and was hoping to one day add the Sandy Lane Gold Cup – Barbados’s marquee horse race – to the list of accomplishments.

“I competed twice before in the Derby but was never a favourite, so the pressure was on me. But I had to focus mentally to overcome the pressure,” said Lopez.

“This has always been my dream. As a little boy, I always wanted to become a jockey.

“The Derby and Gold Cup are two major races in Barbados so winning those two titles has always been on my resume.”

The former Graydon Sealy Secondary student added: “From small I just love horses. And I just told myself I wanted to become a jockey.”

Anyone would be hard pressed to bet against Lopez’s future success as the sport runs richly in his blood. He is the son of Simon Husbands, one of Barbados’ most successful jockeys who has been riding professionally in Canada for over the last two decades.

Lopez is also the nephew of Patrick Husbands, a legend at the prestigious Woodbine racetrack in Canada and a multiple-time winner of the Barbados Gold Cup.

And with his father and uncle as the ultimate role models, Lopez said he was highly motivated to be just as successful.

“Just to get a ride in the Gold Cup would be a big opportunity. Don’t matter the horse, just to be in the Gold Cup. In Barbados, everybody talks about the Gold Cup so that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Lopez stressed.

“Also, someday I would like to go overseas to ride. I want to see as far as I can get as a jockey – put Barbados on the map more like how my uncle Patrick, my dad and other jockeys that ride overseas.”

His success in the Barbados Derby almost never was. He was not carded to ride War Eagle but after regular jockey N’Rico Prescod sustained an injury earlier on the day’s card, Lopez was pressed into action aboard War Eagle.

“The initial jockey had gotten injured. So when I got the call it was bittersweet because as riders we don’t like to see other riders getting injured,” Lopez pointed out.

“But War Eagle was a favourite so when I was asked I said ‘for sure, it is a chance for me now to make one of my dreams come through.’”

Lopez raced War Eagle mid-pack for most of the encounter with Conflictofinterest dictating the pace before setting the chestnut colt down for the drive at the top of the stretch and catching the front-runner in the closing stages.

Lopez also created history earlier this month having won the very first race on the Barbados Turf Club’s first ever night card. (ML)