Pincay Recalls Riding Great Shoemaker

Racing lost one its great treasures and arguably greatest rider when Bill Shoemaker died on Oct. 13, 2003 at the age of 72.

Shoemaker had been paralyzed from the neck down since a one-vehicle accident on April 8, 1991, but on the surface, at least, it never diminished his unflagging demeanor of class, courtesy and commitment.

Saturday’s Shoemaker Mile is named in his honor.

“Shoemaker was the greatest,” said retired Hall of Fame great Laffit Pincay Jr., who rode with ‘The Shoe’ for many years. “He was such a good friend. You don’t find too many people like him. You could have fun with him when you went out socially and in the jocks’ room, he was Class A.

“He was a very clean rider. He would mind his own business. He was out there to win races. He didn’t play games with you on the track. He was a very, very classy guy.

"I still miss him and I think about him a lot.”