Jockey Israel Ocampo

Born: 10/08/1986, Mexico City, MexicoResides: Chicago, IllinoisFamily: Unmarried             Israel rode full time at Oaklawn in 2008 and finished tenth in the overall standings with 24 winners out of 179 mounts.  I returned a year later and had a similar Oaklawn season, winning 18 races ,” said the jockey.“I had a good year throughout in 2008, winning 120 races,”said Israel. “Last year I was trying to reach 100 for the year, but lost a couple of photos late and finished with 98.”                                    “Americans don’t hear a lot of the Mexico City track, but it owns a colorful history. At one time some American jockeys rode there regularly and American trainers trained,” said Ocampo. “After Mexico City, I went to New York with hopes of breaking in as a jockey. But, I couldn’t speak a word of English and that worked against me. It took me seven months to get to riding.  Meanwhile, I worked learning English,” said Ocampo. Israel said that he sure wanted his 2009 riding itinerary to include Oaklawn. After Hot Springs, he went on to Iowa then to Hawthorne. “It is hard to plan a riding schedule for a year.  One good horse comes along for you and everything changes,” he smiled.              While Israel has been riding, his brother Isaac has been galloping horses . The brother is at Oaklawn now, galloping for Steve Asmussen.