By Katie Petrunyak
For many lifelong racetrackers, it's a natural ascent to start out as a hot walker, move up to becoming a groom and perhaps eventually, work your way towards exercise riding. That wasn't the case for Edgar Revolorio, groom of GI Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Highland Falls (Curlin).
Revolorio grew up around horses in his native Guatemala and when he moved to Texas to work with Quarter Horses, he started out there as an exercise rider. As he gained experience on the racetrack and learned more about the art of grooming, he decided that it was the job for him.
The lifelong horseman moved to Florida in 2004 to start his first job in the Thoroughbred industry as a groom. Fast forward 20 years and today, Revolorio loves the job as much as he did on the day he started.
“Since I quit galloping horses, I dedicate my time to taking care of and grooming horses,” explained Revolorio through a translator. “I like it better. It's a routine. It's about being responsible. I come here at 4 every morning and I start to work and clean the stables so when the horse goes to the racetrack, everything is clean and we are ready to work.”
Reading horses and understanding their body language comes naturally to Revolorio. He began working on a ranch in Guatemala when he was eight years old. There, they would start working with the ranch horses from the time they were weaned on through the breaking and training process.
Revolorio and Highland Falls ahead of the GIII Blame Stakes | Coady Media
Over his two decades in horse racing, Revolorio has worked for various trainers like Todd Pletcher, Nick Zito and Mike Maker. Two years ago, he landed a job with Brad Cox.
One of the first horses assigned to him was Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who claimed last year's GI Pennsylvania Derby and this year's GIII Louisiana Stakes with Revolorio as his groom. The dappled gray colt requires extra attention every day to keep his coat looking bright and clean, but Revolorio still smiles when he talks about one of his favorite charges.
“He's a very serious horses and is very professional in what he does,” noted Revolorio.
Last year Revolorio was also assigned the Godolphin homebred Highland Falls. A son of 2006 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff victress Round Pound (Awesome Again), the chestnut won on debut at Ellis Park and claimed an allowance race at Churchill Downs. This year, Highland Falls stepped up to stakes company and won the GIII Blame Stakes with Revolorio on hand to cheer him on.
Highland Falls scores in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders' Cup Classic | Sarah Andrew
“I enjoy working with him,” said Revolorio. “He's a very noble horse. It's not a chore. It's very fun working with him. ”
With a wife and a 12-year-old son at home, Revolorio spends the majority of his time in Kentucky so when Highland Falls went to Saratoga this summer, Revolorio stayed back in Louisville. He made sure to tune in to the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes on Sept. 1 as Highland Falls took on GI Whitney winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit). The two rivals battled down the backstretch, but when they reached the sixteenth pole Highland Falls drew away to win by four lengths.
“I was watching the race on TV and when he won I was very excited,” recalled Revolorio.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes handed Highland Falls a free “Win and You're In” spot to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2. After that breakout Grade I win in Saratoga, the 4-year-old colt returned to Churchill Downs and has reunited with his groom and his regular exercise rider Katie Tolbert as he prepares for a trip to the Breeders' Cup.
“We go day by day working hard with him so that he's doing well for the race,” Revolorio reported. “Every morning I get up and I'm excited to work. Thanks to God, I find myself doing well. Thanks to Brad Cox also for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team.”
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