Happily Unbridled

Sandy Hawley, the only Canadian of the eight Hall-of-Famers who competed in the Living Legends Race at Santa Anita on Otober 18, got to the wire first and did it with style. His mount, Tribal Chief, likes to run in front and he had no trouble getting that position on Saturday and carrying it to the wire. Jerry Bailey on Dee Dee’s Legacy made up some ground around the far turn but Tribal Chief had another gear and opened up decisively to win by 6 1/2 lengths. In addition to Hawley and Bailey, former jockeys Gary Stevens, Julie Krone, Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero, Pat Day, and Jacinto Vasquez competed in the seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race for California breds.

With this win, Hawley’s total win score increased from 6,449 to 6,450. Hawley rode for 20 years in Southern California and his many fans relished this win and his homecoming.

Along with the eight Hall-of-Fame jockeys, three more Living Legends, Laffit Pincay Jr, Eddie Delahoussaye, and Jorge Valasquez were in attendance at Santa Anita. They greeted the many fans before the race by signing autographs and posing for photographs. They also posed for group photographs in the Santa Anita winner’s circle right before the Living Legends race as they were introduced to the appreciative and vocal crowd.

The jockeys ages range from 45 (Julie Krone and Gary Stevens) to 65 (Angel Cordero). However, they are still all in fine form – it should also be noted that even though he will not ever be able to race again due to his medical issues, Laffit Pincay Jr actually appears to be in the best shape of them all –and they all indicated they would love to do this again. 

So let’s hope this becomes an annual event … it was a very fun event to see all these amazing jockeys back in the saddle and competing against each other. Racing needs this kind of publicity and these Living Legends are truly the best ambassadors any sport could hope to have …

Go Jockeys Go!

Horse racing fans are in for a real treat on October 18. Oak Tree Racing Association is hosting a unique competition during the fourth race on that day which brings eight Hall-of-Fame jockeys out of retirement. These eight jockeys are competing in a $47,000 allowance race for California breds at seven furlongs. This is not an exhibition race but an official race which offers a wide variety of pari-mutuel betting opportunities.

The eight jockeys who are coming out of retirement — for one race on one day — are Jerry Bailey, Sandy Hawley, Pat Day, Jacino Vasquez, Gary Stevens, Chris McCarron, Julie Krone, and Angel Cordoro Jr. In addition to these “old-timers”, fellow Hall-of-Famers and Living Legends Ambassadors Laffit Pincay Jr, Eddie Delahoussaye, and Jorge Velasquez will be joining the competitors in the winners circle right before the fourth race. These 11 former jockeys together have earnings of almost $2 billion from 71,872 racing victories. Of course, after the fourth race, that number will have grown to 71,873 victories. All the jockeys will be in the East Paddock Gardens from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to greet their many fans and sign autographs.

Jerry Bailey drew the morning-line favorite, Dee Dee’s Legacy with Chris McCarron on the second choice favorite, Waafi.

This will be a great once in a lifetime match-up of eight of the true “living legends” in horse racing. They’ve all been retired for some time and there’s no doubt they’ve all been busy getting in shape for this event. They’re all very competitive and we can be sure they will each ride the race to get to the finish line first. This may be your last chance to wager on one of your favorite jockeys so be sure to be close to your online wagering account at race time, or at your local race track or, best of all, at Santa Anita Park in person to cheer your favorite on to victory.

I won’t be at Santa Anita but I’ll for sure be watching TVG and analyzing the race to choose my favorite horse and jockey. It’s going to be a fun day …

Go Baby Go!