Before his impressive triumph aboard Forged Steel in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita, Edwin Gonzalez had largely flown under the radar, except among sharp bettors familiar with his 2,200-plus career wins. Demonstrating his signature calm and expertise, Gonzalez capitalized on a rare Grade 1 opportunity, expertly steering the 12-1 longshot, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., to a commanding 1 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile race for older horses—an important “Win and You’re In” event for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Gonzalez, based at Gulfstream Park, celebrated his first North American Grade 1 win with genuine joy: “God blessed me with a Grade 1,” he reflected. “To win a Grade 1 is a good feeling. I’m really happy for that.” Having recently won both Gulfstream handicaps on a single day and posting 14 wins from 31 mounts this meet, Gonzalez will soon chase two more Grade 1 victories at Keeneland on October 31, thanks again to trainer Joseph. Just two weeks earlier, Gonzalez guided Kerry’s Kiss to a 1 1/2-length victory in the Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream, a key qualifier for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
“Saffie has always given me chances,” Gonzalez shared gratefully. “I have two horses for the Breeders’ Cup this year. I’m blessed. I thank Saffie and all the owners for their support.” Forged Steel had previously shown strong form at Santa Anita, capturing the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) by an emphatic 9 1/2 lengths under Flavien Prat in May. After a disappointing fifth in the Suburban (G2) at Saratoga, Gonzalez got the call to ride Forged Steel in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, where the horse finished seventh. Joseph nevertheless kept faith, assigning Gonzalez to the colt for the Goodwood.
In the Goodwood, Forged Steel broke well, tracked the pace set by Taif around the first turn and backstretch, then seized the lead heading into the far turn, never to be challenged. “I got my position from the first jump. I wanted to keep it on the first turn,” Gonzalez said. “Once I got the jump on the horse, I knew my horse would be tough to beat.”
Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, the 35-year-old Gonzalez has earned his recent success through hard work and perseverance. His first rides came at Calder in Florida in 2009 before returning home to establish himself. “I came here to get my license and then I went back home. I didn’t speak English and had a wife there,” he said, referring to his life with his wife Karina and their three children.
Back at Camarero, Gonzalez won his first career race on his second ride, eventually accumulating over 400 wins, including the 2011 Clasico Dia del Veterano (G1PR) with Guadalquivir, before making a permanent return to the U.S. in 2013. His first American victory was aboard 15-1 longshot Art Series at Penn National on August 15, 2013, where he became a dominant jockey, posting win rates over 30% in both 2019 and 2020. Since moving to Gulfstream in March 2021, Gonzalez has been a frequent winner, regularly surpassing 100 wins per year.
This article was initially published by Paulick Report on October 6, 2026.
Fan Take:
Edwin Gonzalez’s rise from under-the-radar journeyman to Grade 1 winner highlights the depth of talent in horse racing beyond the usual stars, offering fans exciting new storylines. His success is a testament to persistence and skill, which can inspire the sport’s growth by showcasing that great achievement can come from unexpected places.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
