Jockey Larry Sterling Jr

Born: 10/24/69 Resides: Chicago, Illinois Family: Unmarried

Sterling enjoyed an excellent 2007 Oaklawn meeting, finishing sixth in final standings with 34 winners from his 227 mounts. One of his winning mounts occurred on Rita Katrina in the $50,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes, March 30.

In 2006, on a national level,he won with 78 of his 640 mounts as his horses accounted for earnings of$1,912,794.

In reflecting on his consistent career, Larry Sterling, Jr. recalls riding War Emblem when that three-year-old won the 2002 Illinois Derby. However, he didn’t get to ride him back when that colt won the Kentucky Derby his next start.

After winning in Illinois, War Emblem was sold and, under Victor Espinoza, won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Haskell Invitational. At season’s end the son of Our Emblem was voted the national three-year-old champion.

“Things like this happen in race riding.A rider must prepare himself and just make the best of it,” said Larry.

Sterling won the 2002 riding title at old Sportsman’s Park as well as the 2003 spring title at Hawthorne. In recent years he is recalled as rider of Atlantic Frost, who in 2005, won the Yo Tambien at Hawthorne and the Reluctant Guest at Arlington.

His father, Larry Sterling, Sr., presently operates a thoroughbred farm on Amity road, south of Hot Springs. Larry Sr. is remembered as trainer of Vigor’s, a one-time champion on the west coast.

“I was born in Arcadia, California, not far from Santa Anita. In those days, my dad trained on the southern California circuit,” said the jockey.

Larry, Jr. grew up on the west coast, graduated from Temple City High and began riding at Hollywood Park in 1986. In 1993, he joined trainer Tom Proctor on the Chicago circuit and later made stops at Canterbury, Turf Paradise and Remington. He has since returned to Chicago and is now well established on that circuit.