The Long Run
What a weekend of racing to which we were treated! As I reflect upon the festivities, there is one thing in particular that stands out to me. The average length of a career in the NFL and MLB is 6 years, while NBA and NHL players average a little less than that. On the other hand, in horse racing, jockeys will ride for decades, through injuries and defeats. Each year, we are reminded of the dangers that jockeys face. Just recently Sheldon Russell was injured in a nasty spill, but thankfully he is now on the mend. Riding takes its toll on the body, but this weekend jockeys Gary Stevens and Kerwin Clark proved that the heart will always prevail.
Clark’s victory aboard Lovely Maria in the Kentucky Oaks is one the highlights of my year. He has been racing for over 40 years and just earned his first Grade I victory last month aboard Lovely Maria in the Ashland. He followed that performance up with the biggest victory of his career. At 56, he could have called it quits years ago, but he refused to yield. His perseverance and determination prevailed, culminating with a tearful and grateful Clark in the winner’s circle. It was a moment that I will not forget any time soon.
The following day, it would be Gary Stevens falling just short of victory in the Kentucky Derby, however the 52-year-old horse racing legend showed that he still has what it takes to compete. He has already won just about every race you could think of, including multiple Derbys but his heart still belongs on the track. When he returned in 2013, I never thought he would be able to compete on the level that he did, winning the Preakness aboard Oxbow. After knee replacement surgery last year, I once again questioned if he had another big race win in him. The close second of Firing Line sure signals that he does. Could he be setting up to play Preakness spoiler again this year??
The performances by these men this weekend are just a few examples of the heart and commitment our jockeys have to the sport. Earlier this spring, CC Lopez showed that he is not slowing down 36 years into his career with El Kabeir’s victory in the Gotham. For that matter, look at repeat Derby champion Victor Espinoza who has been racing for over 20 years and Mike Smith who will turn 50 this fall.
Stevens may have summed it all up best last time he “retired” when he said, “There is a piece of my heart that would love to continue riding, but my body can’t take it anymore.” I think we all know the winner of that duel. It is just another reason why I love this sport so much. In other sports, stars come and go as often as the sun rises and falls, but in racing there is no quit and no backing down when the heart says go for it!