Keeping It in the Family

The Melancon family name is as familiar among racing folks in Louisiana as crawfish, red beans and gumbo. Now the state of Indiana is getting a taste of the Melancon recipe for winning races.

Growing up around racetracks, and cheering on his father, veteran rider Gerald, Jansen Melancon didn’t plan to follow in his dad’s footsteps, but once he realized how natural riding came to him, young Jansen decided to test his mettle as a jockey.

The 22-year-old apprentice said that because he spent so much time at the racetrack at a young age, his desire to ride horses when he got older was constantly changing. “I wanted to ride when I was little, but then I got too much of it,” said Melancon. “I decided to get away from the track for awhile around age 15, and then I went back to wanting to ride.”

After graduating from high school, Melancon planned to go to college. Instead, he began galloping on horses and realized how natural riding came to him. That’s when he decided to switch to pursuing a life in the saddle.

Melancon began riding quarter horses professionally in 2007, and won his first race that year. After more than two years of quarters, Melancon switched to thoroughbreds in 2009. “I liked thoroughbreds better, and the money was better,” he stated. He found a good nutritionist that helped him lose 15 pounds and prepare for thoroughbred riding.

The hard work paid off immediately, as Melancon won his first thoroughbred race. That’s proved to be more than just beginners luck, as the young jock continues to excel. During the 2009-2010 Fair Grounds 2meet, Melancon had 185 starts, winning 13 races and earning more than $305,000.

In April, Melancon moved his tack to Indiana Downs, where the competition is most contentious. Every day, he goes up against some of the best veteran riders anywhere, like Victor Lebron, Orlando Mojica and Rex Stokes III. However, the apprentice has held his own and through the first three weeks of the meet, he won 10 percent of his races with earnings approaching $100,000.

The day that sticks out most in Melancon’s memory was during his last week riding at Fair Grounds, when Melancon called his dad for tips on turf racing. Using Gerald’s advice to the good, he won two turf races that day. “Winning is a big adrenaline rush,” said Melancon. “There’s just no better way to explain it.”

Melancon’s immediate goal is to finish among the top five riders at Indiana Downs. After the meet, he might head to Hoosier Park, but nothing is set in stone. “I live day by day and see where that takes me,” Melancon said. Someday, when jockey father Gerald retires, the tables will turn and dad will be at the race course to cheer on his star son, Jansen Melancon.

Eventually, Melancon’s goal is to ride in the Kentucky Derby. With his career moving fast, that goal might be realized sooner rather than later.  

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