Michael Thompson ... "I've kept an open mind and tried to improve myself." - photo by Gordon Williams

MIAMI, Florida, United States:

Winston Thompson's shot at winning his biggest purse in horse racing fizzled fast during the Calder Race Course's 'Festival of the Sun' meet here on Saturday.

His mount Primal Baby started sluggishly in a US$400,000 stakes race and there wasn't much the Jamaican-born veteran jockey could do to put the two-year-old into money contention.

"She was like outmatched, I think," he said shortly after dismounting, still covered in dirt and sweat. "She broke from the gate, but she broke a little slow and she just couldn't keep up with the pace they were going at."

In more than two decades riding in the United States, Thompson has rarely been left far behind. Now the 45-year-old, who moved to the U.S. in 1987, has entered an elite group of riders. On September 21 he landed his 3,000th winner, scoring with 9-1 shot African Angel at Suffolk Downs, in Boston, where he is the current reigning champion jockey, a title he has won five times.

Nothing has come easy

From more than 20,000 rides, mainly at North American tracks such as Suffolk, Thompson has also managed to finish second and third each on roughly 3,000 other separate occasions. Nothing has come easy.

"It's been a while," Thompson said of his career. "I put in a lot of work in the cold weather too. That's why I'm where I am. To come from that warm place (Jamaica) to go up there and do that O.K., it's a lot of determination."

According to Caymanas Park's 1984 champion apprentice, the secret to his success in the U.S. has been his willingness to learn.

"I've kept an open mind and tried to improve myself and get in with the right people," Thompson said.

He also feels the weight of representing Jamaica too. But betting fans are the same at home and abroad - win, they're happy; lose, they can get upset.

"Yeah, it can be hostile," Thompson admitted.

Yet on Saturday, fans turned up at Calder to show their appreciation. Among them was Alroy Simmonds, a Jamaican living in Florida, who sought out the jockey to congratulate him on reaching the 3,000th win milestone.

"To let him know that we're feeling real proud of him for what he has done for Jamaica," said Simmonds.

Jamaicans involved in the sport here have also admired Thompson's accomplishments. Wesley Henry, a Florida-based jockey, believes Thompson has been outstanding.

"If he can really ride 3,000 winners that's great," Henry said.

Crafton DeSouza, whose entry, Clouds of Falcon won Calder's nightcap on Saturday, understands the difficulties faced by Thompson and other migrating jockeys.

"Not many Jamaican trainers have a lot of horses (to give Jamaican jockeys rides)," the Florida-based Jamaican horse breeder, owner and trainer explained. "So they come here and nobody knows them. But once you know your stuff and can ride, you're gonna make it."

Thompson already has, but he keeps working.

As Primal Baby headed to the barn, he hurried to the Jockey's Room to watch a replay of the race. Minutes earlier he had missed out on his biggest payday in the saddle, but Thompson is sure another chance will come.

"This is one of the richest races I rode in," said Thompson, who on June 18, 2005 won six races at Suffolk Downs. "I've won a US$250,000 race. But you take time. Maybe the next time it's gonna be a million."