Each month we’ll take a trip to the backstretch and visit with a different jockey or trainer. For this issue, the focus is on newly-inducted Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado. This Peruvian-born pilot has won the New York Riding Title on ten different occasions. Prado, 41, won the 2006 Kentucky Derby aboard the late Barbaro and boasts three Breeders’ Cup victories.

Prado makes his residence in Hollywood, FL with his wife Liliana, their sons Edgar Jr., 22, and Louis, 14, and their daughter Patricia, 15.

Q: How did you first get involved with horses?

I’ve been involved with horses all my life. My father was a groom and exercise rider, and I had two brothers that were both jockeys. I always wanted to be a jockey.

Q: Who were your heroes growing up?

My brother was one of my real heroes. In terms of jockeys I saw on television, I was a big fan of Eddie Arcaro and Laffit Pincay.

Q: When did you come to the United States, and what factored into the decision?

I came here from Peru in March of 1986. I was motivated by a desire to take part in the most competitive horse racing in the world. I wanted to prove myself on that stage and hopefully win a Kentucky Derby. It was incredibly difficult at first, mainly because the only English phrases I knew how to say were “Good Morning” and “Hello.”

Q: Do you remember your first win?

My first win was on a horse named Single Love at Calder in June 1987. I had been piling up second-place finishes but was unable to break through with that first victory. So when Single Love won, it was a huge monkey off my back, and a tremendous feeling.

Q: How did you decide to make the move from the Maryland circuit to the New York circuit?

I was dominating Maryland with 400 winners a year and my family was doing great, so I was in a great situation. But there came a time when I had to step up and see if I could compete on the top level with the best horses. When I had the opportunity to ride for John Kimmel during the 1999 Saratoga meet, it made my decision an easy one.

Q: What did it feel like getting your first Breeders’ Cup victories with Folklore (Juvenile Fillies) and Silver Train (Sprint) at Belmont in 2005?

It was an amazing feeling. I had a few close seconds in Breeders’ Cup races, including one with Thunderello in the 2002 Sprint. So not only getting the first win, but getting two in the same year, was a sensational experience.

Q: You will be forever linked with the legendary Barbaro. What was the experience like leading up to the Derby and then getting your first victory, a dominating one, in that race?

Going into the Derby with Barbaro was a phenomenal experience. Every race leading up to the Derby he kept getting stronger and stronger. I knew he was the best horse, and was so confident in him that I had my entire family come in for the race.

Q: After Barbaro was injured in the Preakness, people from all over the world came together to express their love for him. Although it must have been a very difficult experience, was it encouraging to see and hear the response from people?

It was amazing. Something awful happened, but something very good came out of it. The love that people showed for Barbaro after the Preakness was incredible to experience. And the fact that he was able to survive for so long after such a catastrophic injury gave hope to many people around the world.

Q: Was Barbaro the best horse that you have ever ridden?

He was certainly one of the best horses that I have ever ridden.

Q: After seeing how the Belmont played out this year, did you think to yourself that Casino Drive, the horse you were scheduled to ride, would have won?

With the way the race fell apart, Casino Drive would have had a good chance to run well. But Casino Drive’s Japanese connections did the right thing by not taking any chances with a horse that has a lot of potential.

Q: You’ve already won three Breeders’ Cup races and the Kentucky Derby. What are your next major goals?

I would love to win the Preakness. I rode for so many years in Maryland and have a lot of friends there. I really thought that Barbaro was going to win at Pimlico, but instead it was a very sad day. So I would love to redeem myself and ride to the winner’s circle in the Preakness.

Q: You were recently inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, taking your place alongside such legendary jockeys as Angel Cordero Jr. and Jorge Velasquez. What does that mean to you?

It’s an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and take my place alongside so many tremendous riders. It shows that the hard work someone puts in can really pay off. You can dream big and make it happen.

Q: How do you typically prepare to ride horses each day?

I come to the track in the morning to work horses. Then I relax in the sauna and look at the program to see how the track has been playing and how the races I am in may develop.

Q: Is it difficult for you to stay under the required weight?

A little bit. I try to keep to my diet and not overdo it by eating too much.

Q: Do you have any specific friendly rivalries with other jockeys?

Everyone is a rival when we are on the track, but we share the same common friendship in the jockey’s room.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a jockey?

I love the competition. The dream is to find the great horse and the amazing feeling you get while riding it.

Q: What is the best advice you could give to a young person who wants to become a jockey?

If you decide to be a jockey you need to do it with all your heart and enjoy every moment of it. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down, you have to keep getting up and keep dreaming. Always give it your best shot.

Q: What differences have you noticed between the dirt and the synthetic surfaces? Do you have a preference for one surface over the other?

It all depends on how the horse is handling it. What many people don’t realize is that each synthetic surface is very different from the others.

Q: What are the most important traits for a successful jockey to have?

A successful jockey must have a lot of patience and try to use their horse at the proper time. It is vital to have a feeling for the horse and keep him out of trouble during the race.