The son of jockey Louie Gomez, Garrett Gomez always wanted to be a jockey, dropping out of school in the 10th grade to follow his dream. At 16, Gomez became an apprentice jockey on the California circuit before moving to the midwest to continue his apprenticeship. As an apprentice in 1989, Gomez boasted 182 wins -- the second highest that year, during which time he rode against his father multiple times.

His initial success died down in the early 90s, only to pick up with back-to-back wind in the Arkansas Derby in 1994 and 1995. Two years later, in 1997, Gomez seized the Mid-America Triple at Arlington Park by winning the American Derby, Arlington Classic and Secretariat Stake -- his first grade on race -- all aboard Honor Glide. With continued success, Gomez decided to migrate west to California, where he enjoyed many grade one victories at the Malibu Stakes, Santa Maria Handicap, and others. In 1998, he won the Hollywood Park Fall Meet riding title.