HOUSTON, TX—MAY 19, 2019—Jockey Joseph Gordon Jr. won his first race back after an 18-year hiatus from the saddle, as the rider piloted Shake Em Rocks to victory in Friday's 110-yard, $15,000 Texas Twister Stakes (see related story) at Sam Houston Race Park.

After he first retired from the saddle, Gordon worked as an assistant trainer and assistant starter.

"It's an awesome feeling," Gordon said. "Since I retired I've been an assistant trainer and worked the gate, but getting my license and working horses has been amazing.

"I knew I couldn't lose tonight because she is such a nice filly, and I had so many people supporting me," he added.

Shake Em Rocks is a homebred daughter of Rock Solid Jess. Roger "Bubba" Moore trained the 4-year-old mare for owners Bob and Betty Moore.

According to Equibase statistics, Gordon has won 134 Quarter Horse races from 1,428 mounts, and his mounts have earned $460,849. He also has won 61 Thoroughbred races from 840 mounts, and his Thoroughbred mounts have banked $182,520.