Horse racing is a sport that exemplifies perseverance, and few jockeys have shown such determination in recent times as Julian Pimentel. At 45 years old, Pimentel, who has more than 1,800 career wins, took a break from riding after achieving 42 victories in 2021. Returning to competition earlier this year, he celebrated his first win of the comeback on June 27.
“I struggled with my weight for a long time,” Pimentel shared after guiding Hidden Overture to victory in the $125,000 Selima Stakes for two-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on Laurel Park’s Bowl Game Turf Course. “I also dealt with injuries. Finally, I managed to get my weight down and make a return. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Since his return, Pimentel has enjoyed solid results, winning six of 26 races. The recent Selima stakes win marked his first stakes triumph since Camptown’s victory at Colonial Downs in Virginia Beach on September 1, 2021.
Starting from post 6, Hidden Overture tracked the pace from the outside while Sun Valley led early, clocking fractions of :24.16 and :49.94. Hidden Overture moved decisively three-wide after a six-furlong split of 1:16.24 and took command effortlessly in the upper stretch. Despite showing some inexperience, she held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Homeawayfromhome, with Sea Isle City finishing half a length behind in third. Sun Valley took fourth, followed by Maybe Gold, the favorite Dance to Glory, Millford Lass, Gypsy Lullaby, and Cherokee Purple. Cash Or Credit was scratched.
“She broke sharply, and I had a perfect position,” Pimentel said. “In the stretch, she was a bit unsteady, going in and out. She’s still green but ran incredibly well.”
Sanchez, riding Homeawayfromhome, lodged a foul claim against Hidden Overture’s win, but it was denied. Hidden Overture paid $14.20 to win and completed the race in 1:47.02 over good turf.
Trained by Brittany Russell for Golden Lion Racing and Hidden Brook Farm, Hidden Overture is a Mendelssohn filly and a half-sister to Bojaca Blessing, a Grade 2-placed turf runner. Bred in Kentucky by Tanya Lobsiger, she was purchased as a yearling for $15,000 and later sold for $180,000 at the OBS sale in June. She made a stunning debut on Delaware’s off-turf surface on September 3, winning by 13¾ lengths as the strong favorite.
When asked about his reaction to the stakes victory, Pimentel simply said, “I was waiting for this one.”
This article was first published by Paulick Report on September 27, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: Julian Pimentel’s inspiring return reminds fans that the spirit of horse racing is built on resilience and passion. His success not only highlights the grit of jockeys but also breathes fresh excitement into the sport, promising compelling competition ahead.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
