Born in Chicago on 17th October, 1960, Nelson's parents are from Puerto Rico. Still happily together after 58 years of marriage, they had 18 children...12 girls and 6 boys.

Nelson is 5ft 3" and rode at 114 lbs (8st 2 lbs or 52kgs). His first ride was a winning one on Jade Crystal on February 24th, 1978.

Since then he has notched up 1,632 career wins of which the biggest was the $75,000 "The Land Of Lincoln Stakes" at Sportsman`s Park on "Moving On By" on 23rd April, 1994.

He was leading rider 3 times in his career, once at Fairmount Park and twice at Mountaineer Park.

Nelson states that his favourite horse was Hammer Toes and that the best horse he rode was Milwaukee Avenue.

He rates his hobbies as recording & buying good movies for his collection and spending time with his wife Cynthia (also a jockey) & family.

We reckon that Nelson (1,632) and Cynthia (1,000 to early August, 2002) may have the most career wins, currently 2,632, as a couple in the jockey community. We would certainly be interested in hearing from anyone who has bettered this.

Nelson has just retired from riding after 24 years in the saddle and currently he is working for the USPS as a letter carrier.