NEW ORLEANS – When the gates open at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, Children’s Hospital will have a special interest in who wins the Kentucky Derby. New Orleans native “Smokin’” Joe Talamo, who rides Derby favorite I Want Revenge, will donate $25,000 of his purse if he crosses the finish line first.

Talamo, just 19, said he made his pledge after learning that the hospital cares for all children regardless of their family’s ability to pay for their treatment.

“Since Hurricane Katrina the health care system in New Orleans has struggled to rebound, and I wanted to do something to help my hometown get back on its feet. Children’s Hospital is a wonderful institution that we can all be proud of,” Talamo said. “Several of my friends have been treated there, and I’m thankful they’re here, caring for all the children of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.”

Talamo began going to Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans at age seven with his father, Joseph Jr., who worked as an assistant to trainer Connie Tassistro. He started his riding career at age 16 in 2006 at Louisiana Downs. He raced at Fair Grounds for the winter 2006-07 meet, where he won 119 races (25 more than local legend Robby Albarado) and became the first-ever apprentice jockey to claim a Fair Grounds riding title.

"I've only been riding for two and a half years," Talamo said. "It’s amazing that it’s happening so fast, but I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Now based in Monrovia, Calif., he can become the third consecutive Louisiana native to win the Kentucky Derby. Calvin Borel (Catahoula) won in 2007 on Street Sense, and Kent Desormeaux (Maurice) won last year on Big Brown.

If Talamo wins the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, he will be one of the youngest riders ever to do it (Steve Cauthen, 18, with Affirmed in 1978; Ronnie Franklin, 19, with Spectacular Bid in 1979).

I Want Revenge has a career record of three wins from eight starts with earnings of $816,000. In his last two starts, he won the Gotham and Wood Memorial at New York’s Aqueduct Racetrack.

“This is a great horse with a bright future,” Talamo said. “I don't want to jinx myself, but I feel very grateful to be on such a wonderful animal. I Want Revenge is the type of horse that every jockey dreams of riding. This horse is in a super position to do great things throughout the Triple Crown. I feel so grateful, so lucky, to be sitting on top of this horse's back.”