They had just crossed the finish line in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, with John Velazquez and Malathaat outfinishing Irad Ortiz Jr. and Search Results by a neck. The vanquished Ortiz, the three-time reigning Eclipse champion jockey, patted Velazquez multiple times on the back and then reached for his hand to congratulate him. “I had to congratulate him,” Ortiz, 28, said this week. “I told him, ‘You are our teacher.’ It came from my heart, honestly. I respect him. “He’s probably the best jockey I ever rode against. He’s the GOAT. The way the race finished, I got beat, but I gave everything, I think my filly gave everything. . . . He rode a perfect race. He’s 49. He never lost his skills.” :: DRF's Preakness Headquarters: Contenders, latest news, past performances, analysis, and more At age 49, Velazquez may be riding fewer mounts, but he feels he’s riding as well as he did when he was in his 30s. The results bear that out. The day after he won the Oaks, Velazquez guided Medina Spirit, a 12-1 shot, to a front-running victory in the Kentucky Derby, his fourth win in the world’s most famous race and third in the last five years. Last Saturday at Belmont Park, Velazquez pulled off another front-running surprise in the Grade 1 Man o’ War aboard 8-1 shot Channel Cat. Saturday at Pimlico, Velazquez will be in search of one of the marquee events he has failed to win, when he rides Medina Spirit against nine other 3-year-olds in the Preakness. It is a race Velazquez has ridden 10 times, managing three second-place finishes. “I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t care,” Velazquez said. “Yeah, I do care. I’m still chasing it.” It was only seven months ago when Velazquez rode Kentucky Derby winner Authentic in the Preakness, losing to the filly Swiss Skydiver by a neck. “It bothered me, but I thought I rode a good race and he ran a great race, just the filly ran a much better race,” Velazquez said. Velazquez was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2012. At the 2013 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Velazquez was involved in a significant spill during the running of the Juvenile Sprint. He underwent surgery to remove his spleen and was out of action for three months. Since returning in 2014, Velazquez has won 1,203 races, including 171 graded stakes, 67 of which were Grade 1’s. “I didn’t have the doubt that I could do the job,” Velazquez said about his success since the injury. “More than anything, would people give you the opportunities, the breaks that you need? If you work hard and people give you opportunities . . . this has been the outcome of that.” For his career, Velazquez has won 6,290 races and 691 graded stakes, 206 of which are Grade 1’s. He has won more graded stakes and Grade 1’s than any other jockey. His overall purse earnings of $436,248,700 are also tops in history. Velazquez said there will be a time later to reflect on those numbers. “I’m happy what I do and I’m doing a good job at what I do,” Velazquez said. “Those things come after. One day, I’ll look it up and say, ‘Man, I really did something nice.’ ” Velazquez’s success in the saddle is only part of the story. His role as a mentor to younger riders and his involvement over the last 15 years as co-chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild has also earned him the respect of his peers. In 2006, Velazquez got more involved in the guild when guild management was in upheaval and the organization was in debt. In addition to helping steer the guild out of debt, Velazquez was key in getting the Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund established. “Money was not going to disabled riders, that’s what scared me the most,” Velazquez said. “Those guys were not getting any money, the checks were bouncing. We got to do something about it.” Velazquez has been active in current issues, participating in Zoom calls in many jurisdictions regarding rules for the riding crop. “The jocks look up to him, respect him, listen to him,” said Terry Meyocks, the president and CEO of the Jockeys’ Guild. “Johnny’s a credit to the game.” Javier Castellano, who has been competing against Velazquez for 20 years, doesn’t believe Velazquez gets enough credit for what he does off the track. “The best thing about Johnny is his personality, how good a person he is,” Castellano said. “He doesn’t think about himself. It’s easy to think about yourself. It’s not a team sport. Johnny always looks out for somebody else to make the industry better. I think that’s what makes him special.” :: Join DRF Bets and get ready to watch and wager on the Preakness with a $250 first deposit bonus  Both Castellano and Ortiz told how Velazquez helped them with issues both on and off the track. Velazquez says he takes his role as a mentor seriously because of how he was mentored and how giving some direction is beneficial to all riders. “I was mentored, too,” Velazquez said. “When I came in they taught me the right way. It’s a competitive business, but it’s a very dangerous business. If you ride with better riders, it’s safer for you and the horses as well.” One of Velazquez’s mentors was the Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr., who for more than two decades was his agent. The two split about 15 months ago. and Velazquez is now represented by Ron Anderson. The relationship between Cordero and Velazquez appeared fractured for several months, but appears to be better now. Velazquez said that following his victories in the Oaks and Derby, Cordero sent him a text that said the horses wouldn’t have won without him. “That’s a great compliment coming from Angel Cordero,” said Velazquez. Cordero said it’s sad that he’s no longer Velazquez’s agent, but he’s happy for his success. “I want the best for him,” Cordero said. “He’s like a son to me. How are you going to be unhappy when your son does good?” There was a time when Velazquez thought he would retire in his mid-40s. The day after Thanksgiving, Velazquez will turn 50 years old. He has no set time when he plans to stop. “Physically, I’m the same, but mentally I’m much better than when I was in my 30s,” Velazquez said. “I can see things more easily. Maybe it’s a confidence thing. I don’t know. “I enjoy riding, I enjoy the competition. I know the thrill I get by riding these good horses, that’s what drives me. It feels different than anything else I’ve done.” It can be argued Velazquez has done it better than anyone else who’s ever done it.