For Tampa Bay Downs jockey Spieth, 'nothing better than competition'

Scott Spieth seems to have been born with a passion for race riding.

“I did it through high school and college, and I’m still doing it,” said Tampa Bay Downs' 53-year-old SenÞor Tequila Mexican Grill Jockey of the Month. “Any day can have its challenges, but when I get on a horse, that goes away.

I have a connection. I love riding horses, and to me there is nothing better than competition.”

A recent hot streak enabled Spieth to climb into a tie for seventh place in the track standings with 19 victories. Spieth leads all Tampa Bay Downs jockeys with 4,825 career triumphs, which is 17th most among active North American jockeys and 41st all-time.

Spieth, who rode War Story in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, has every expectation of reaching 5,000, “but that doesn’t mean I’m done. I’m going to keep riding until my body says it’s time to do something else,” he said. “I’ve been very blessed physically in that while I’ve had plenty of spills, I’ve had no major injuries.

"I’ve been athletic my whole life and I’m very flexible, and that helps with me staying as healthy as I have.”

Like every racing participant in a time when the COVID-19 pandemic affects their livelihood, Spieth and his wife, trainer Aldana Gonzalez, need to remain flexible going forward. Gonzalez plans to split her stable between Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Penn., and Woodbine in Toronto after the Oldsmar meeting, but it’s anyone’s guess how track schedules will be altered.

Spieth and his fellow jockeys at Tampa Bay Downs, as well as track management, are committed to keeping working conditions as safe as possible.

“Everyone is having their temperature taken before they’re allowed into the jockeys’ room or the paddock,” Spieth noted. “Disinfecting measures are being followed, and we’re trying to keep a safe distance within the room. The track has (changed the scale of jockey weights) so that nobody has to use the hot box.

“I’ve talked to a lot of riders, and we feel the track is doing as much as they can as far as precautionary measures. In the meantime, we’re outside 90 percent of the time. I think it’s good that we’re continuing to race,” Spieth added. “A lot of small owners and trainers need that money coming in, or at least a chance to win that money.

“Hopefully we can get through the meet and get things going back in the right direction.”

One thing seems certain: Spieth will keep embracing his opportunities to compete.