It was a race that came down to the final day of action for the 124-day racing season Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. But with his win aboard Cause a Ruckus in the seventh race of the day, Alberto Burgos sealed the deal and took home his first career leading jockey title.

A native of Puerto Rico, Burgos is competing in his second year at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He began riding in Puerto Rico in 2019 where he gained his license. After three months of action at Camarero Racetrack, he came to the United States, riding on the east coast. A connection to agent Kerry “Bones” Wirth brought him to Indiana for the 2023 meet.

“Every jockey wants to come to the U.S. to ride,” explained Burgos. “I got connected with ‘Bones’ and he took my book last year. We have worked hard, and I want to thank everyone that has supported me.”

Burgos is having the best season of his career in 2024. Overall, he is closing in on 100 wins this year and more than $2.5 million in earnings. To date, Burgos has 243 career wins and has ridden horses to more than $6.6 million in career earnings.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Burgos about his first title. “It makes he so happy. There were doubters in the beginning, so I’m glad I stuck with it to get where I am today. This is something I’ve worked hard for this and it means so much to win this title.”

Burgos had many highlights throughout the meet, but one of the standouts was his seven wins aboard Cupid’s Runaway, 2024 Thoroughbred horse of the meet. Burgos completed the season with 81 wins and earnings of more than $2.1 million.

Burgos was joined by his jockey agent Kerry Wirth and his family, including his parents visiting from Puerto Rico, for the leading jockey award presentation. He and his wife Mary now reside full-time in Shelbyville and his daughter, Arielys, attends Coulston Elementary. The 25-year-old jockey plans to ride at Turfway during the winter and be ready for the start of the 2025 racing season April 15 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.