He won the most races in the United States in 2004 and won the 2009 Arkansas Derby, 2010 Kentucky Oaks, and the 2011 California Cup Classic.
He learned to ride at the Peruvian national riding school.
He finished second in the 2005 Belmont Stakes.
He was born in Arequipa, Arequipa Province, Peru.
He was nominated for the 2008 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey but lost to Garrett Gomez.
