Sports’ Opening Day is a unique occasion, often characterized by optimism and anticipation. For Carol Cedeno, a jockey who has claimed the top spot six times, the commencement of the 2026 Delaware Park season on May 13 held particular significance.
Crossing the finish line first with Vanaka in Race 2, during her initial ride of the Delaware competition, marked Cedeno’s first victory in over seven and a half months. This followed a severe accident on September 27, 2025, at the Meadowlands. Cedeno sustained multiple injuries, including five fractured vertebrae and a broken left wrist. The journey back to health and subsequently to the winner’s circle at Delaware proved to be an arduous and demanding process for the 37-year-old parent of Angelika, 17, and Dylan, 14.
“It was tough, but I have my family—my mother and my sisters. My entire family supported me through everything, from caring for the children to my rehabilitation; they were always present,” stated Cedeno, who relocated from her homeland of Puerto Rico to the mainland in 2007 to become a professional jockey. “My back doesn’t cause me much discomfort, but my wrist… that was challenging.”
“Upon beginning therapy, my recovery progressed quickly. However, I reached a stage where, despite being able to grip many objects, I didn’t feel prepared to resume riding due to persistent severe pain. I felt stalled at that juncture, which extended my return to riding by approximately seven months.”
Cedeno initially put her wrist to the test during a jockey competition in Puerto Rico, participating in three races on March 8. Although she continued to experience wrist pain, these races bolstered her confidence to continue her return, leading her to begin daily horse workouts for trainers and secure more rides this spring at Laurel Park and Parx Racing.
“Her return from the injury mirrors how she has navigated her whole career and personal life. She is a remarkable individual,” commented Chris Sobocinski, the racing information coordinator for racing development at Delaware Park. “She has surmounted numerous obstacles and hardships both in life and during her racing career, achieving extraordinary feats in spite of everything.”
Cedeno received enthusiastic applause en route to the winner’s circle from her most devoted fan, Matt Halter, who established and presides over the “Carol Cedeno Fan Club.” Both she and Matt had further cause for celebration four races subsequent when Cedeno steered Irish Jig to an impressive 8 ¼-length victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight event, marking an emotionally charged double on opening day.
Following each triumph, Cedeno and the Delaware Park team invited Halter into the winner’s circle for the festivities and victory photograph, where his familiarity with the procedure was evident. Cedeno’s nephew shares a diagnosis of autism with Halter, and they have developed a strong connection.
“This is my initial victory in eight months, making his presence here with me feel particularly significant,” Cedeno remarked regarding her celebration with Halter after her first of two wins on the opening day.
“I encountered him right here at Delaware a considerable time ago. He typically visited on Saturdays, and since then, he has consistently been my companion. He supports me, cheers loudly whenever I triumph in a race, sends me messages, and frequently declares me his closest friend. We consistently endeavor to include him in the winner’s circle whenever I secure a victory.”
Over the past three years, Delaware Park has organized an Autism Awareness Day at its racetrack, spearheaded by Bessie Gruwell, who serves as the executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. The event for this year is scheduled for August 1. Cedeno and Halter are slated to play prominent roles in the day’s celebrations, which aim to gather funds for Autism Delaware.
Cedeno has established herself at Delaware Park, leaving a lasting impact on the racing venue. She secured her initial leading rider title among her six at the Stanton, Delaware track in 2014, becoming one of only two women, alongside Rosie Napravnik, to top the jockey standings at Delaware. Cedeno, accumulating 1,350 victories up to May 21, also headed the jockey rankings in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020, at which point she matched Michael McCarthy’s record with her sixth championship.
“She genuinely inspires me, and I believe she serves as an inspiration for many followers of Delaware Park,” Sobocinski commented. “She remains a mother, rises early, works diligently, and attends to her children. As a fellow parent who values family and is committed to my own career, I hold immense respect for her and all her accomplishments.”
Regarding her accomplishments, Cedeno surpassed a Delaware Park record previously shared by six jockeys by winning seven races on a single program on July 11, 2018. She triumphed in the initial four races of the ten-race card and achieved her record-breaking seventh victory in the final race, an Arabian event, riding Tiffanys Dream. Eldon Nelson (1958), George Cusimano (1968), Greg McCarron (1974), Jimmy Edwards (1984), McCarthy (1997 & 1998), and Joe Rocco Jr. (2011) collectively held the former Delaware Park benchmark of six daily victories.
Cedeno has commenced the 2026 Delaware Park season exceptionally well. She secured two additional victories on May 20 and achieved another double on May 21, positioning herself at an early lead in the rider standings with six wins and 14 top-three placements from 21 starts. Nevertheless, those initial two triumphs on opening day, her first in over seven and a half months following her determined return to racing, held extraordinary significance.
“I felt thankful and joyful because I had invested considerable effort toward that goal,” Cedeno stated. “Once I began exercising horses in the mornings, I essentially had no days off. I work every day of the week. I strive to assist everyone because I aim to perform well, so I felt compelled to exert double the effort to gain momentum, and clinching those two races on opening day was a major achievement.”
