Over the years, jockeys have moved from Caymanas Park to the North American riding circuit. This shift of location is usually driven by the opportunity to gain experience allied with the possibility of earning more depending on results.

Javaniel Patterson is next on the list of local riders making the move. Patterson left the island earlier this week for Canada to ply his trade at the Assiniboia Downs racetrack located in the province of Winnipeg.

Currently Patterson occupies seventh position in the local jockeys’ standing on six winners behind leader Tevin Foster (30 wins), Raddesh Roman (21 wins), Robert Halledeen (12 wins), Dane Dawkins (11 wins), Philip Parchment (seven wins), and Chris Mamdeen (six wins).

“This is an opportunity to push my career and I am taking it,” Patterson told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“It is always good to experience different things in terms of racetracks, riding against international jockeys as you only learn more and development your craft better,” he added.

Patterson produced a well-calculated ride aboard the Vincent Atkinson-trained Rhythm Buzz to win the Henry W Jaghai Trophy feature race on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Rhythm Buzz came from behind horses to win the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs (1,200m) by a length and a quarter in a time of 1:13.0 (23.0 x 47.2).

Rhythm Buzz had no issues exiting his starting stall. He raced in fourth place behind
KP Choice (Raddesh Roman), Mamma Mia (Robert Halledeen), and Wall Street Trader (Jerome Innis) going into the half-mile (800m) turn.

Rhythm Buzz, who hugged the inside rails, cut the turn entering the drive, and was then switched to the middle of the track on the outside of runners and got up in time to beat
Wall Street Trader and Money Monster (Romario Spencer).

“Honestly, I knew that he isn’t a sprinter, so my plan was from the gates to break him and get him into the pace and waited for the home bend to ask him to run.

“The rail run was there but the space got tight on me and I got time to switch to the outside of runners and won the race. I really wanted to walk inside but everything worked out well in the end,” Patterson said.

Commenting on the performance of his horse, Atkinson said that he was pretty much pleased with the run as Rhythm Buzz continues to improve.

“Today I just told the jockey to leave the gates pretty sharp and stay close to the pace as much as he can.

“I told him to give the horse a nice, relaxed ride and the horse will finish well for you. When I bring my horses to run, I don’t care who is in the race.

“I run my horses because they are doing good and if I get beaten, I get beaten, and if I win, I win, so I don’t worry about any of my horses running in a race.

“Rhythm Buzz is now in Open Allowance, where I will try a seven furlong or a mile where he is comfortable and see what happens,” Atkinson said.