John Rotz passed away at the age of eighty-six just days before this year’s racing season began at Saratoga.
Many of those from a younger generation probably glanced over the many testimonials that were written about him. Those who have a passing interest in horse racing may have heard the name. Then there are the horse racing fans that lived during the era that brought him fame and the respect of his peers. The news surely brought back fond memories to those who witnessed his expertise on the racetrack.
It was the 1960’s and 70’s, when many of the greatest jockeys of all time plied their trade at racetracks across the country. During that timeframe, a claiming race at Saratoga could count seven, sometimes eight future Hall of Fame riders vying for the winner’s circle. Eddie Arcaro and Willie Shoemaker led the way. They were the masters of their chosen trade. Then there were Bobby Ussery and Manuel Ycaza. Both had flair and nerves of steel. Eric Guerin of Native Dancer fame and Bill Boland, who captured the Kentucky Derby at age sixteen were veterans that had the skills to compete with the best.
Secretariat’s rider Ron Turcotte was also a member of the group. Then came Braulio Baeza, Angel Cordero, Jorge Valesquez, and Jacinto Vasquez. They arrived here from Panama and Puerto Rico to show off their talent and reap the financial rewards that America would offer. For the better part of two decades, John Rotz would match his riding skills with all of them.
He was nicknamed “Gentleman John” out of respect for his quiet and unassuming demeanor. Do not think for one second that those are the only qualities that defined him. John Rotz was a topnotch, professional race rider. His skills were honed the hard way. He worked his way to success taking the old-fashioned route. As a teenager in Illinois, he landed a job as a groom, then graduated to hot walker and later spent his early morning hours as an exercise rider.
In 1953 John launched his career as a jockey at the minor league tracks of the Midwest. By the late fifties he felt he had acquired the skills to hit the big time. He made the move to New York to test his mettle against the premier jockeys on the American turf at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga.
For the next fifteen years Rotz cemented himself as one of the go-to riders on the racing scene. A quick glance as his Wikipedia page lists the stakes races that he won in his career. It is a remarkable look at many of horse racing’s most sought-after prizes.
The 1962 Preakness Stakes is the race that Rotz is most remembered for. He had the mount on Greek Money. In a stretch duel with his counterpart Manny Ycaza aboard Ridan, he was nearly thrown over the inside rail due to the rough riding antics of the fiery Panamanian. He was able to keep his mount steadied and nailed his first of two Triple Crown Events by a whisker. Hounded by reporters after the race, he was asked repeatedly about Ycaza’s flagrant ride in the stretch run. He refused to comment on the subject. It was just another example of why he was called “Gentleman John.”
Rotz went on to ride racing greats Dr. Fager, Carry Back, In Reality, the superb race mare Gallant Bloom, and this writer’s favorite champion Mongo. He reached the pinnacle of his success when he led the country in stakes race wins for both 1969 and 1970.
Due to physical problems Rotz hung up his tack in 1973. He had done it all. From his beginnings as a groom to reaching the top rung of his profession, he had earned the respect of the owners, trainers, and the many jockeys that he had competed with on a world class level.
Ten years later in August of 1983, John Rotz became the sixty-first jockey to be inducted into Horse Racing’s Hall of Fame located here on Union Avenue. It was a well-deserved and fitting tribute to this Gentleman from Illinois.
