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![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3503096_web1_Designated-Hitter-and-jockey-Javaniel-Patterson-inside-hold-off-Totalizer-and-jockey-Ra.jpeg\")
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Jason Halstead \/ Assiniboia Photo<\/p>\n
Designated Hitter and jockey Javaniel Patterson (inside) hold off Totalizer and jockey Rachaad Knights to win the third race Wednesday at ASD.<\/p>\n
Before Patterson rode Captive Kitten through a free-square hole on the rail to win, there were already whispers in the backstretch to the effect that \u201cthis kid can ride.\u201d Those whispers gained more traction when Patterson won with three of his next 12 mounts, but his performance on one particular winner caused expert race watchers to pay attention.<\/p>\n
Patterson was aboard Designated Hitter ($11.40) for trainer Carl Anderson on Girls Night Out this Wednesday and showcased a few skills seen only in the best jockeys. He stalked an early duel from the inside, moved smoothly off the rail in early turn to make sure he didn\u2019t get stuck behind a tiring speed horse, waited patiently until late turn, and then made the right choice when one of two holes opened up.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t just guide Designated Hitter through the hole, he did it with style. No steadying, no checking, just plain silky. He then took the lead nearing the sixteenth pole and saved just enough horse to hold off the hard-charging Totalizer to his outside in a rousing finish to screams and cheers. It was a perfect ride, the best we\u2019ve seen this year.<\/p>\n
Patterson\u2019s journey to Assiniboia Downs reads like something out of a movie script. Born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, a place he described as \u201cmore like a ghetto,\u201d the well-spoken high school dropout discovered horse racing at 19 and never looked back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a fast learner,\u201d said Patterson. \u201cI just fell in love with horses as soon as I was around them. I\u2019m just happy that I\u2019m able to get back on horses and things are working out pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patterson\u2019s introduction to racing was typical of Jamaica\u2019s sink-or-swim approach to developing riders. After a friend told him he had the right build for racing, Patterson found himself at Caymanas Park with no riding experience whatsoever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how it is in Jamaica,\u201d said Patterson. \u201cOn my first day, I was getting to know the horses and learn about them, and the trainer just said, \u2018You need to start getting on them.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Within a week Patterson was in the saddle, and in 2015 he scored his first victory aboard a longshot that left him confused about what had happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know I won,\u201d he said. \u201cBut as soon as I came to a stop after the wire, top jockey Wesley Henry rode by on the horse that ran second and said, \u2018Good job.\u2019 And I\u2019m like, what? And he said, \u2018You won.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Patterson went on to win more than 200 races in Jamaica and never finished out of the top 10 in the standings. His biggest victory came in 2018 when he captured the prestigious 2000 Guineas aboard Commander Two.<\/p>\n