RUIDOSO, NM- AUGUST 31, 2021—It may take weeks, months or even years for jockey Francisco Calderon to comprehend the significance of the 2021 Labor Day weekend.

The 27-year-old native Texan has mounts in each of the graded stakes in the final weekend of the Ruidoso Downs Quarter Horse meet, culminating with Jess Savin Candy in the $3 million All American Futurity (G1).

And it’s not just a sensational 2-year-old attempting to win the prestigious championship; he will attempt to become just the second horse in the history of the event to win the Triple Crown!

Calderon’s family, friends and many racing fans in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, will be rooting this rising star to break through to the top echelon. He’s not only a very talented rider, but a devoted family man and humble and gracious person.

His Beginning

Calderon was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and began riding in 2011. He credits jockey Ignacio Bustamante for teaching him the ropes.

"I did everything I was asked to do in the barn," said Calderon. "Ignacio told me 'you have to know a horse before you get on a horse'. So, I groomed, fed, mucked stalls; it was all important."

He was willing to work horses each morning at Retama Park and would arrive many times before trainers would get their horses ready. He rode five horses in 2011 with no impact and celebrated his first career victory on April 12, 2012 at Sam Houston Race Park aboard Texas-bred filly Herein for trainer Salvador Flores.

 

The Sam Houston Futurity has special meaning for Calderon. His first major win was in the 2016 edition of the race, when he guided Just Call Me Carter to a decisive score for owned Joel Tipton and conditioner Angel Sanchez. It boosted his reputation, and many horsemen took notice. Veteran trainer Leon Bard took notice and tabbed Calderon to ride for his barn.

"Leon asked me to ride first call for his barn," added Calderon. "It was an opportunity that I could not pass up. He's a good horsemen and a great person. I didn’t feel any pressure riding for Leon; he had confidence in me and that meant a great deal."

Calderon enjoys preparing 2-year-olds for their first futurity. Despite it being a laborious process, he noted the excitement in seeing early potential in young horses.

“We begin on the farm, galloping in company; then comes gate training and breezing 100 yards,” explained Calderon. “Each horse is different, and some learn faster than others.”

 

One that impressed him from the very beginning was 2017 Sam Houston Futurity champion This Is An Eagle. Pete Scarmardo bred the son of One Famous Eagle from the First Down Dash mare Lady Lilia. He was the sale topper at the 2016 TQHA Yearling Sale, purchased for $100,000 by Mary Lynne Thompson.

“He was one of the smartest horses I have ever ridden,” stated Calderon. “He was so fast in his early works; one morning he ducked out and dropped me! I didn’t mind; I just knew he was a really talented colt.”

This Is An Eagle set the fastest qualifying time in trials, winning the Sam Houston Futurity and ran third in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park later that year.

Calderon was always willing to travel to ride major finals. In March, 2017 trainer Jose Sanchez qualified three juveniles for the $272,000 Mardi Gras Futurity (G2) at Louisiana Downs. He called Calderon and offered him the mount aboard the lightly-raced filly, Blue Eyed Fance.

“I think I said yes before I answered the phone,” recalled Calderon with a smile.

Blue Eyed Fance outran her two stablemates at odds of 15-1 as she won the first official futurity of the year in gate-to wire fashion!

Calderon has won leading rider titles at each of the Texas racetracks. James Leatherman, who serves as racing secretary for both Sam Houston Race Park and Retama Park, has known Calderon for close to a decade. He has won 659 career races and his earnings of $2.4 million, through August his year, far surpass any of his previous year-end totals.

“He is a very hand working rider and all around nice guy,” said Leatherman. “Everything he has achieved is well-deserved.”

Calderon is very close to his parents and admits that he speaks to his dad, Juan on a daily basis. He and his wife, Valerie, are proud parents of a 4-year-old daughter, Viridiana, and will welcome their son, Lorenzo on September 27.

Ruidoso Downs Dream Meet

Calderon is still pinching himself on his good fortune in 2021 at Ruidoso Downs.

“When you are just starting, you will ride for anyone willing to give you a mount,” he said. “To be respected by so many great trainers and owners is a tremendous blessing.”

Trainer John Stinebaugh spoke about the progression of Calderon.

 Jockey Francisco Calder and trainerJohn Stinbaugh in the Ruidoso Downs winner's circle with Jess Savin Candy.
© Linda Earley / Speedhorse

“He has a great work ethic and never complains about working in the cold, heat or rain,” he said. “When he first started riding, I would see him whipping from the gate to the wire. But he is always open to critiquing and figuring out each horse. Sometimes, he will just sit in Jess Savin Candy’s stall; I never thought about changing riders. Francisco has earned this.”

Stinebaugh shares that Jess Savin Candy has not exactly been a walk in the park for his rider.

“He gives Calderon fits,” he stated. “He’s full of play, but so resilient and bounces back after every start. The horse has had a perfect summer, but has never run a perfect race!”

Calderon agrees that the Triple Crown contender is a bit of a challenge.

“He’s a big, lanky horse; perfect for 440 yards,” said Calderon. “But he can be difficult! He squirms in the gates and rarely gets settled, but once he gets going, he is amazing!”

In addition to the really “big” horse, Calderon and Stinebaugh will team up with Flash Bak in the $100,000 All American Invitational and Perrys Double Down in the $200,000 Gold Cup Invitational. Trainer Trey Wood has named him to ride Hollyn Bootie in the $439,884 All American Oaks and he has two mounts for conditioner Juan Vazquez: Jettz in the $929,225 All American Derby (G1) and Phoenominal in the $200,000 All American Juvenile.

Calderon admits that he will feel the pressure in each of the noted Labor Day Stakes.

“It’s nerve wracking for sure,” he stated. “But once the gates open, I will leave it in God’s hands and ride each race to the best of my ability.”

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Martha Claussen served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana and other regions in North America.