Successful horse jockey turned to trucking during his racing hiatus

Written by: Hot Mess Holly. Journalist/Dispatcher in Training

Tampa, Florida - In an unusual turn of events, renowned horse jockey Robert “The Mane Man” Alvarado Jr., known for his 2,798 victories atop some of the fastest steeds in the land, traded his horsewhip for a trucker’s cap and a big rig. After hanging up his riding boots in August 2022, Alvarado took to the highways, not just hauling any old cargo, but chemicals that could turn a pony into a unicorn and Thoroughbreds with aspirations of becoming the next Secretariat.

“I needed a breather from the hoofbeats and the roar of the crowd,” Alvarado confessed to the while sipping on a cup of joe at a Flying J truck stop. “Hitting the road, I proved that jockeys are more than just pint-sized equestrians. We retire, and folks reckon we’re off to the pasture, but no sir, some of us have diesel in our veins too,” he chuckled. “But let’s face it, you can take the jockey out of the race, but you can’t take the race out of the jockey. My body was itching to swap eighteen wheels for four hooves again. I’m still in top form, blessed with health, and ready to do more than just play ‘convoy’ on the interstate.”

At the spry age of 50, “The Mane Man” couldn’t resist the call of the racetrack and made a triumphant return six weeks ago. On a sunny Wednesday, April 17th, at Tampa Bay Downs, he rode to victory on Auger, an 8-year-old gelding with the heart of a champion and the spirit of a seasoned trucker. This marked win number 2,799 in his illustrious 30-year career, proving that horsepower runs in his blood.

As for the future, Alvarado’s eyes twinkle with possibility. “Delaware, Monmouth, who knows? The world’s my racetrack, and I’ve got a full tank of dreams. There’s a whole lot of finish lines out there waiting for me, and maybe I will be the next Tobey Maguire” he said, while winking and tipping his trucker’s cap with the words "I pee in pools" in bold lettering.

Disclaimer: The tale you’re about to read is as twisted as a pretzel in a tornado. It’s been spiced up, tickled pink, and given a pair of clown shoes for your entertainment. The original story was inspired by CDL Life’s article.