Jockeys and Jeans at Parx

Hello all from Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania! Today I’m here for the Jockeys and Jeans event. The day started out cloudy with a little drizzle and I thought, oh great I need to find a mudder, but it cleared up and turned out to be a beautiful day with family, friends, and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF)!  

We made it to the track a little early to meet up with my cousin, Janet Polachek, who is a trainer here. She had a horse racing in the fifth, Garden Games. As I walked over to the rail to see a rider I know, my brother-in-law said, “Hey, Beck, since when do you not wear a hat and put lipstick on at the track?”

I yelled over, “Riders up!” We laughed. He thought that was my answer!

Next, my sister Katie and I made our way to the third floor clubhouse for the event. We grabbed a table and got settled. I said, “First things’ first, I’m going to get a beer and put money in my account.” Janet met up with us a little while later. Ramon Dominguez made his way over to see us for a couple minutes and said he’d be back in a little bit.

I figured before I got too busy, I’d call my dad to see if he wanted any bets placed and to update him on the event. He said bet Janet’s horse and the two, a Michael Matz horse. I said no problem. I was still on the phone with Dad and Chris McCarron stopped by our table and was talking to Katie. Next thing I know he was on my phone talking to Dad about the old track days! It was so cool that they got to talk. Dad was happy!

Post time, race five. I grabbed another beer and told Ramon I was going down to watch the race, but I’d be back in for the jockeys signing. Garden Games ran second-to-last. Oh well. I talked to the jockey, Silvestre Gonzalez. He said “GG” didn’t seem like he was ready to go. I said, “Nothing you can do about that, buddy. Not your fault.” He was going to hug me but he was all dirty from the kickback, so we just shook on it for the time being and he went to go clean up to meet up with us later.

I went back inside? for the signing. I bought a few things – a poster, a PDJF hat, a coaster with Javier Castellano on it from Gulfstream park that he signed, a t-shirt, and a bracelet. I spent about $100, but it was well worth it. I look at it as I have something to show for my money rather than losing it on bets some days. So when I went to the signing I got the poster, the hat, the scrapbook I made, and the picture of Ramon and I signed. I got my sister’s hat and poster signed, as well. She was thrilled!

It was funny, when I saw Pat Day, I said, “I have a message from Dad for you – wait all day for Pat Day!” he laughed and said you’re too young to remember that! I said I’ll be 40 in December and I do remember Lil E. Tee, because those are my Dad’s initials. I went outside for about 20 minutes after I got my stuff signed, then went back inside.

I figured everyone was busy with the signing still, so I walked over to the paddock to see if I knew anyone. Then I made my way back upstairs to check out the silent auction. My sister won an auction item, but she wouldn’t tell me what it was because she said it’s my birthday present. Now I have to wait till December to get it. Hopefully it’s not something I already have.

I walked back to our table and hung out with my cousin, sister, and a couple riders. I got to talking to Darrell Brown, who is on the committee (transportation) about what’s in store for the next event. I mentioned Delaware Park and how that place rarely does anything for race fans. I said, “To be honest, I’d rather come to Parx anymore, but I practically grew up going to Delaware Park.” We exchanged phone numbers and I have a little homework to do to get in touch with someone from event planning at Delaware Park about getting an event booked in the future.

It would be a dream come true for me to get this set up. And the best thing is, I think my dad would go. I said, “It’s really a shame Delaware Park went so downhill over the years? when it comes to horse racing. I could care less about the casino, but horse racing is therapy, and to be a part of such? a wonderful event is a dream.” He agreed. So hopefully in the future, this will happen at Delaware Park?, but I know it won’t be for a while. We will see!

Until then, Riders Up!

Oh, by the way, I found out the auction item my sister won for me was the painting of Mike Smith! Just stinks I have to wait so long to get it!

I actually did get a chance to stop at Delaware Park on June 7 to discuss a possible booking in the future for Jockeys and Jeans. It turned out to be a very good day. I got a chance to see Edgar and some of the other riders, watched a couple races, and caught up with Larry Jones for little bit. I also finally met Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stables in the paddock area and they signed my Barbaro hat and picture. It was a pleasure meeting them after all these years.

Before I close this out – I hate to end on a sad note – but a jockey by the name of Jose Mariano Asencio needs our help. Sadly, he may never ride again. Jose Mariano Asencio is an apprentice jockey at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that was involved in a terrible accident on Sunday, June 4. Jose suffered a broken back and leg of which both required extensive surgeries among other injuries and faces a long road to recovery. Jose was a very talented, upcoming jockey in the Hastings colony, but besides that is a really good kid who is always pleasant and smiling. Any help you can give would be great, as his mother is trying to come from Mexico and rehabilitation costs will be extensive. Let’s rally for a member of our racetrack family! You can donate to his Go Fund Me page here.

Thank You!

See you all soon for Riders Up!!!!!

~By Becky Trettina