Jockey Larry Sterling Jr

Born: 10/24/69; Arcadia, CA

Resides: Chicago, Illinois

Family: Unmarried 

Sterling is remembered as the rider of Dance Caller, winner of the $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes during the 2009 Racing Festival of the South.  The jockey always seems to rise to the occasion. 

Last season, Sterling won 19 races from 184 starters, finishing second with 20 and third aboard 16 starters.  

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. 

Sterling enjoyed an excellent 2008 Oaklawn meeting, finishing tenth in the final standings with 23 winners from his 207 mounts. One of his winning rides occurred aboard Sebastian County in the $100,000 Northern Spur. 

“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.  

Larry, Jr. 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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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.