Well here I am back in my comfort zone in Southern California where my backyard is “The Great Race Place” Santa Anita. These past five days seem like a bad dream I have just woke up from. While I wassupposed to be in Chicago for the Arlington Million, Beverly D, and Secretariat I was given permission to come home and heal. I apologize to everyone at Arlington and HRTV along with the fans. I can tell you that Saturday will be a great day of racing as Million Day is one of the best on the racing calendar.
Zoe Cadman is more than a worthy replacement for me in the “Young Guns vs. The Cagey Veterans” charity race this afternoon, as well as an analyst for tomorrow’s races. I enjoy Zoe’s insight and enthusiasm prior to and after each race.
I really wish I was there to participate in what was a great event last year with the “Dining with Dynasty” event and the atmosphere that surrounds the weekend of the Arlington Million. I feel that last year’s hero, Gio Ponti, will take all the beating in the Million and I am rooting for Ron McAnally and Mr. Duchossois’ Eclair de Lune in the Beverly D. Paddy O’Prado will be tough to deny in the Secretariat. These races as they have since there inception have an international flavor. I will be glued to my t.v. set both today and tomorrow watching not only these races but the Grade I Alabama at Saratoga.
I have been a huge fan of Blind Luck from the outset of her career; she always finds a way to win but, with what I witnessed in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, the victory by Devil May Care, was something to behold. The 2010 Alabama figures to be a race for the ages. Devil May Care showed a maturity in her last race that takes her to a new level. Don’t ask me to make a selection here as I just want to enjoy what appears to be a great race.
It is time to change gears now and address what constantly seems to be negative talk in California. There is now talk of moving the Oak Tree meet to Hollywood Park after hiring a specialist to assess the condition of the Pro-Ride surface. Before track superintendant Richard Tedesco is given any chance to remedy the problems pointed out with the surface, owner Arnold Zetcher of the TOC and trainer John Sadler of the CTT, have requested that the meeting be changed to Hollywood Park. While in the best interest of safety – that is what is at hand here — it seems that haste and a rush to judgment once again are causing negative public relations for Southern California racing.
If the players in any sport talked publicly about what they felt was poor equipment before talking to the equipment manager or the owner of the team, all hell would break loose. When Mr. Stronach informed 250 horsemen that the surface would change back to dirt following the Oak Tree meet the news was welcomed by all.
Why do we continue to drag negativity into the sport that we all love? If I was someone new thinking about getting into the sport I probably would look outside of California. If someone tells me I look ill enough times, pretty soon I am. The move back to dirt is a positive move for our sport. It seems that the horsemen and fans are all in agreement. My question is why we don’t give Mr. Tedesco the chance to remedy the racetrack since he says it will be safe and ready for the opening of Oak Tree. This is the same person that most of the horsemen insisted go to Del Mar and take care of that surface.
For the most part I think we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with all of the negative press. Everyone in any profession experiences difficulties but they tend to correct their problems behind closed doors and talk about the positive things that come from behind those closed doors. It is time that everyone in our sport gets on the same page and work together to promote this great sport. Owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and track management need to become one with the same interest — without hidden agendas — and our sport can flourish once again over time.
Give me the option of reading something positive over something negative and I will take the positive every time. The sport of horse racing has more competition than ever; let’s not compete against each other. This behavior started a long time ago, it’s time to behave in a positive way.
We all love this sport or we would not be in it, and you would not be reading this. There is always tomorrow. Let’s try waking up tomorrow with a positive attitude.

Day Two after freak accident.

Breaking my collarbone has brought back memories of why I retired. People have constantly asked why I retired so early and do I miss riding? Just five years ago here at Saratoga I injured my tailbone early in the meet and rode in pain most of the meet. I had no energy. I have no energy right now. Five years ago I would have been thinking “how quickly can I get back?” Now it makes me thankful that I don’t have to come back. This is a young man’s sport and I’ll leave it to the young men. Congratulations to Russell Baze on his 11,000 win. It’s inconceivable to me. My hat is off to Mike Smith, who had a fall the other day and came right back. I don’t know how they do it. Actually, l I do know how they do it. Russell Baze, Mike Smith and Alex Solis work their butts off to stay fit and keep their bodies in shape aka “young.”
While I was doing this for enjoyment, and I was asking and wanting to ride these horses, this is no longer enjoyable laying on the couch with my arm in a sling remembering the effects of pain medications and what it does to me. I’m thankful for the insight I can provide to the fans and in the future that is all it will be. I’m grateful for the opportunities I have with HRTV, NBC, and now HBO. I’ve officially hung up my boots forever, no more riding out in the mornings. The next time someone asks me to climb on the back of a horse for an opinion or ride for a charity event I’m going to kindly say “no.”