Shaun Bridgmohan: A Jockey's Journey To Kentucky Derby Dreams

He traveled from the tiny island of Jamaica, an island that is rich in the tradition of jockeys. Shaun Bridgmohan didn't begin his journey into the life of a jockey on the island, but after arriving in Florida, he got the urge. The riding bug hit him when he was seventeen, and after graduating from high school he began writing his journey not knowing how far the racing gods would take him. Shaun Bridgmohan began riding in 1997 and quickly recorded his first win. The bug boy, a name given to a young jockey who hasn't won a certain amount of races moved his journey to New York. Six months later he won six races in one day at Aqueduct racetrack. When I asked Shaun about his greatest achievements, he  highlighted the six wins that he had the privilege of accomplishing twice. He achieved this feat in New York and then came back at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans a few years later, and duplicated the achievement as a journey man jockey. After arriving in New York, the young apprentice would go on to win the Eclipse award for best young apprentice, which essentially is the academy awards for horse racing. The journey had taken full flight.

Shaun Bridgmohan's career as a journey man jockey progressed well while he was in New York. He had  his first graded stakes win, wrote his legacy with some stirring rides on horses like Brutally Frank, Evening Attire, who he rode in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Volponi, and one of my favorites Peeping Tom whom he also rode in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Bridgmohan also climbed aboard Midnight Lute at Saratoga and rode him masterfully. Shaun would continue writing his story in New York with over nineteen graded stakes wins. Something was missing. He was deeply rooted in a jockey colony with Hall Of Fame jockeys rubbing elbows with him in the jockeys' room. Trying to break into the top barns proved challenging. He believed in his skills. He knew he had the talent, so he had to make a move.

Bridgmohan's career really blossomed when he journeyed to Arlington Park in 2005. Being new to the colony the young rider knew he had to prove himself to trainers and owners on the circuit. Shaun took the riding colony by storm and won the riding title. He found his way into many barns, but one trainer took extra notice of his talent and something special was about to be born. Trainer Steve Asmussen liked how the young rider sat on a horse. He admired his horse intelligence and quickly gave him the status of stable rider, which meant that Shaun would have the first call on horses in the barn. This is how Bridgmohan always saw his career evolving when he dreamt about success. He knew if given the chance consistently to sit on horses that are runners, his ceiling would be very high. He was now on the national stage and not just a journey man jockey lost amongst the midst of Jerry Bailey, Richard Migliore, and Johnny Velasquez in New York. The stage now belonged to him. Bridgmohan and Asmussen became a formidable team. Asmussen and "Bridge' as he is called by racing fans, quickly formed a bond that cashed many winning tickets. Asmussen and Bridgmohan teamed up three times in the Kentucky Derby. Their best horse together was Pyro who was on every one's top ten list going into the 2008 derby. Pyro and Bridgmohan didn't set anyone on fire that day and finished ninth in the prestigious race.

In this year's Kentucky Derby, Shaun will be aboard the West Point owned Commanding Curve. The three year old is trained by Dallas Stewart whose long shot Golden Soul almost left us dumbfounded. Golden Soul came running last year and finished second in the Derby. Commanding Curve is a late developing horse. He broke his maiden by getting his first win after four starts. His maiden victory was a nice win on a chilly Saturday at Churchill Downs with Bridgmohan in the saddle.

Dallas Stewart shut the horse down after that win and shipped him down to Fairgrounds for the winter. After a few steady works, Commanding Curve made his three year old debut in the Risen Star, an ambitious start for a horse who had only won one race. But this is the time of the year when trainers are figuring out if they have a derby contender or just a nice horse. His try in the Risen Star didn't put him on any list to win the Kentucky Derby. He waltzed home sixth that day. Stewart knew exactly what he is doing with the horse. He knew the horse would need a race compared to some others who already had made a couple starts for their three year old campaign. He got Commanding Curve working, and he tightened him some more for his next start.  Commanding Curve showed he belonged with the titans when he came back in the Louisiana Derby and finish a troubled third behind Vicars In Trouble. The young horse was reaching at the end of the race wanting to go further. He will get that this Saturday as the three year olds all attempt to navigate a mile and a quarter for the first time. When asked about Commanding Curve and how he sees the horse in the derby, Bridgmohan states,"Commanding Curve is an improving three year old with a lot of upside. The race should have a lot of speed which should benefit my horse's running style."

There are various accomplishments that define an athlete. In the NBA its the end of year championship, and in football, the Super Bowl is the pinnacle that all football players journey towards at the beginning of every season. In horse racing the Kentucky Derby is the ultimate goal. Bridgmohan has won titles at various tracks. He has ridden in Dubai on Dubai World Cup night. He has won several grade one races and has made a very good living as a jockey. However, this journey that began at the age of seventeen in Florida, when he knew he wanted to be jockey, won't be complete without a Kentucky Derby win. Bridgmohan said,"Winning the derby would mean everything to me, it is the ultimate prize." Bridgmohan also thinks a win in the derby would have  an impact on the island of Jamaica that has many great athletes.

Will he win? Only the racing gods know what will happen. They have the race scripted from a few weeks ago when Commanding Curve was on the outside looking in, hoping to get in the body of the race. Unfortunately some horses had to withdraw because of various issues and a spot opened for Commanding Curve, Bridgmohan, Stewart, and WestPoint Stables.  Don't be surprised if when the horses turn for home at Churchill Downs, the voice of Larry Collmus picks up Commanding Curve weaving through horses to win. Don't be surprised! Bridgmohan won't be. His wife and kids won't be surprised either. The people of Jamaica won't be. This is the journey he has been on. A journey that started in Spanish Town, Jamaica, a journey scripted when he was seventeen years old and making the decision that he wanted to be like his idol Mike Smith.