DOCSLIB.ORG

American Pharoah Ahmed Zayat Bob Baffert Victor Espinoza Justin Zayat

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
American Pharoah Ahmed Zayat Bob Baffert Victor Espinoza Justin Zayat August 29, 2015 Post-race interview with the connections of AMERICAN PHAROAH AHMED ZAYAT BOB BAFFERT VICTOR ESPINOZA JUSTIN ZAYAT THE MODERATOR: I really appreciate the connections of American Pharaoh joining us. Bob, I'd like to start with you. If you could take us through the race and tell us how you saw it. BOB BAFFERT: I think Pharaoh tried really hard. I could tell down the back side he was struggling a little bit. I could tell by Victor's body language he wasn't really giving it -- he didn't have the power that he usually has. But we saw the last 3/8 was just guts, guts and glory. After he finally shook Frosted off, I really thought, well, maybe there's a chance he's going to -- he could tell he was empty. He just fought back valiantly, and he just -- it wasn't his day today. There's really -- you know, you really don't know. We gambled. We brought him up here. So he showed us all signs that he was ready to go, and he just -- but you really don't know until they actually run. I had heard Victor's comments, and he just said he wasn't really -- he didn't feel the power he usually feels on him. But he still -- it's amazing. We knew we're doing the impossible to just go back and forth and back and forth. So it's sort of sad to see him get beat. When you see him get beat, I feel bad for him. There's nothing different Victor could have done. He rode a good race. You get beat. Not much to say about it. THE MODERATOR: Ahmed Zayat, plenty of great horses have gotten beat here at Saratoga. Your impressions of this race and if you could just share what this means for American Pharaoh moving forward. AHMED ZAYAT: So I have not uttered a word, either to my family or to Bob. We have not even -- we have not spoken to anybody. My feelings is as follows. Obviously, I'm extremely proud of American Pharaoh. American Pharaoh ran his race. He put a very brave run, but it wasn't good enough. We are very accustomed of him running incredibly good. It doesn't matter what surface, what track, what distance. I've always felt that I have a huge fiduciary responsibility since we won the Triple Crown. What do I do with this horse? What is the right moves? And I've always trusted my trainer, and I will always trust my trainer. I would not have changed anything. The horse was showing us all signs of happiness, health, energy -- everything you can think of. I was very confident here, maybe 100 times more than I was at Monmouth. Even they call it the graveyard, and I wasn't concerned about that. He won the distance. The track surface doesn't bother him. But now I have a huge responsibility. As I told you, I haven't spoke to my family and Bob, but you start questioning yourself. Have I pushed the envelope too much? I swear to God, I really wanted it for the sport, and my doing it was absolutely -- and I shouldn't be apologetic -- of any financial gain or any nonsense like that. I'm a fan. I love this horse. He was happy, and he's special, and he is, again, the Triple Crown winner. But then you have to comment to yourself, okay, is the show over? Is it the time? I looked at Joanna, and this is the only word I told my family going down the escalator. It's the first time they heard from me. I said, my gut feeling said time to go out on a high note. I haven't spoke to Bob. I don't know how Bob feels. Bob, I trust, not just as a trainer, but as somebody I really care because I know he cares about his horses. My gut feeling right now, without being outspoken, is to retire. It's to say we had a Triple Crown champion. I feel a huge responsibility. I don't think you guys understand, and I pushed so hard. I hope I didn't push Bob because I know Bob is not the person to be pushed. Bob let the horse tell us. And we were day on, day off because we honestly genuinely wanted the horse to tip us. The horse could not have been better. He gained weight. His demeanor -- I keep repeating myself. So we came here because of what we've seen on Friday. 15,000 people, this is what it is all about, this game. If owners are going to just come and say, don't risk it, you can't. We have to do what we have to do. So when I'm telling you I'm second guessing myself, it's because now, if the horse is tailing off -- and I need to speak to Victor -- and he's not the Pharaoh we are used to, even though he fought hard, then I have a responsibility for my horse, and I have to come, as I told you, now say it was unbelievable run. He made so much happy my family and Bob's family and everybody in this sport, but my gut feeling say, you know, maybe it's time to really be on Pharaoh's schedule, and he told us today he wasn't the Pharaoh we know. THE MODERATOR: Victor, if we could get one quick comment from you. Just tell us about down the back side and what you were feeling from Pharaoh today. VICTOR ESPINOZA: He was not the same like I've always been riding him before. He was good going to the gate. I noticed something that I never saw. He was doing really, really good. I was just a little bit concerned at that point because he never had like -- not even just a tiny bit of sweat before to the gate. Today he was a little bit sweaty to go in there. He bumped out of there nice. I put him right in the lead. The pace, it was not too fast. It was good. I feel like from the 5/8 pole, his energy level, it was not the same like before. He was not really like strong like he used to. He was up around but not quick enough. I noticed the other horse that was next to me, I was trying to like open it up and not let them get close to me, and he just stayed in the same pace. Just a little bit by the 3/8, the other jockey -- I don't even know who rode that horse, the one who was next to me. But as he was getting to the turn, the other horse, he kind of like put his chest right in my hips on the horse. He hit it pretty hard then. My concern, he kind of lost his stride in there. From that point all the way to the turn, he probably hit me like six or seven times. And I was still like trying to open it up. I was turning for home. He was trying so hard, American Pharaoh, that I opened it up two, three lengths, but I feel like it was not quick enough to get to the wire when the other horse was coming in on the outside. THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Victor. Mr. Zayat, just one last question. You're talking about your gut feeling and your initial reactions after the race. But in terms of anything official, sort of what's the time line, and what do you do from here? I'm not trying to put you on the spot. I just want to clarify that you weren't making any sort of announcement. You're going to regroup and talk. AHMED ZAYAT: Listen, I'm a big boy, I can make the announcement. This is a teamwork. This is the man who lives with him 24/7, and he had him, and he trusted him. Jim -- we need to speak to Jimmy. We need to speak to his rider. I need to understand more. I didn't hear the stuff about being bumped a zillion times. I need to speak to Justin. Obviously, I need to speak to my wife. We are family. We're going to sit and think it over. My gut -- I'm an entrepreneur. I've made all my decisions in my life being an entrepreneur, being a gut man. So my gut's saying, if the horse showed me that he tailed off, he's not the Pharaoh I know, then there's no question in my mind that the right thing is to retire him. He doesn't owe me nor anybody anything. I have to worry about him. That's how it's going to be. Now I have to go and check, did he bled? Did he displace? There's a zillion things that can happen. I don't want to speculate. I need to sit and speak to Victor. We're flying back to California. We have four hours to talk about it, and I guarantee you we'll be celebrating. BOB BAFFERT: It's going to be a long flight. AHMED ZAYAT: No, no, no. I'm very proud of American Pharaoh. I'm disappointed for the fans.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • May 4, 2019 Going the Extra Miles Leadership Award MBS-Inc.Org A
    A Night to Celebrate the Dedication of Milestones Students, Families, and Staff May 4, 2019 Going the Extra Miles Leadership Award Betty Gallo — A tireless advocate, for over three decades, for those with special needs and non-profits in Connecticut, founder of Gallo & Robinson MBS-Inc.org You expect choices when you buy a home or a car... Shouldn’t you expect choices when you buy your Homeowner’s & Auto Insurance? With The Bott Agency you do have choices! With most others you don’t. The Bott Agency is your local, full service, Independent Insurance Agency with access to over 20 top rated Insurance Companies, offering both personal and commercial coverages. The Bott Agency is licensed in Connecticut and New York. As a local Independent Agency we will provide both exceptional personalized service and an extensive choice of Insurance Companies to choose from, which allows us to provide you with the most coverage at the best price. Proud sponsor of the Milestones Behavioral Services Derby Night 2019! 203-775-5101 • [email protected] • www.thebottagency.com The Bott Agency proudly represents over 20 top-rated insurance carriers including: © 2019 The Bott Agency Milestones 2019 Derby Night Sponsors CHAMPION SPONSOR: Elizabeth & Irwin Sollinger THOROUGHBRED SPONSORS: Dan & Nancy Hillary & Jonathan Mastroianni Sollinger Robert Mize and Demarest House Gardner • Reynolds • Slater Isa White-Trimble Foundation 1 Milestones 2019 Derby Night Sponsors TABLE SPONSORS: Bishuti LH Brenner Family Insurance Martin L. McCann, Patrick’s Attorney-At-Law
    [Show full text]
  • The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation Spring 2016 William John Hartack, Jr
    The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation Spring 2016 William John Hartack, Jr. A Jockey, A Friend… A Legend Hall of Fame Jockey Dear Bill Hartack Fan, The legendary jockey Bill Hartack touched the lives of friends, colleagues, and fans though his incredible accomplishments on the racetrack and his passion for horse racing. With nine victories in Triple Crown Classic races, he earned a place in history and inspired the entire racing community with his determination and good will. Shortly after he passed away in 2007, the Friends of Bill Hartack established the Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation. We are grateful for your generous support in preserving his legacy as we honor Victor Espinoza, recipient of the Hartack Award. Espinoza was the winning jockey in the 2015 Kentucky Derby aboard champion thoroughbred American Pharoah. He also rode American Pharoah to victories in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes - winning the Triple Crown of American Racing. Join us in celebrating Victor’s success and in supporting City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer treatment center located in Los Angeles. The charity was selected by Victor who, after visiting the center more than 10 years ago, was deeply impacted by the children being treated there and pledged to regularly donate approximately 10% of his earnings to the facility. It is our pleasure to co-host this year’s Hartack Award with the Kentucky Derby Museum, a premiere During his racing career in the United States between 1953 and 1974, attraction in the Louisville region that celebrates the tradition, history, hospitality and pride of the Hartack rode 4,272 winners in 21,535 mounts.
    [Show full text]
  • Will Justify Win the Triple Crown?
    Will there be a Triple Crown Winner this year? Mike E. Smith on Justify, Kentucky Derby On May 5, Justify won the Kentucky Derby. There are 2 more thoroughbred horse races that he has to enter and win in order to win the Triple Crown of thoroughbred Racing ... the Preakness and the Belmont. Can he do it? What are his chances? The three races that make up the Triple Crown are the (1) Kentucky Derby, the (2) Preakness Stakes, and the (3) Belmont Stakes. Kentucky Derby races began in 1875; Preakness races began in 1870; and the Belmont began in 1867. But in all of those years since these races began only 12 horses have won all three. Triple Crown winners Year Winner Jockey 2015 American Pharoah Victor Espinoza 1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen 1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet 1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte 1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro 1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens 1943 Count Fleet Johnny Longden 1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro 1937 War Admiral Charles Kurtsinger 1935 Omaha Willie "Smokey" Saunders 1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande 1919 Sir Barton Johnny Loftus Even though all three races have been in existence since 1875, let's start considering our data when the first horse won all three races in 1919 ... Sir Barton won. 1. How many years have elapsed between 1919 and now? There are different ways to look at what might be the most usual gap between winners. We could figure out the gap that occurs most often (mode); or what the mean number of years of a gap is; or what is the most central measurement (median) of the various gaps.
    [Show full text]
  • 1930S Greats Horses/Jockeys
    1930s Greats Horses/Jockeys Year Horse Gender Age Year Jockeys Rating Year Jockeys Rating 1933 Cavalcade Colt 2 1933 Arcaro, E. 1 1939 Adams, J. 2 1933 Bazaar Filly 2 1933 Bellizzi, D. 1 1939 Arcaro, E. 2 1933 Mata Hari Filly 2 1933 Coucci, S. 1 1939 Dupuy, H. 1 1933 Brokers Tip Colt 3 1933 Fisher, H. 0 1939 Fallon, L. 0 1933 Head Play Colt 3 1933 Gilbert, J. 2 1939 James, B. 3 1933 War Glory Colt 3 1933 Horvath, K. 0 1939 Longden, J. 3 1933 Barn Swallow Filly 3 1933 Humphries, L. 1 1939 Meade, D. 3 1933 Gallant Sir Colt 4 1933 Jones, R. 2 1939 Neves, R. 1 1933 Equipoise Horse 5 1933 Longden, J. 1 1939 Peters, M. 1 1933 Tambour Mare 5 1933 Meade, D. 1 1939 Richards, H. 1 1934 Balladier Colt 2 1933 Mills, H. 1 1939 Robertson, A. 1 1934 Chance Sun Colt 2 1933 Pollard, J. 1 1939 Ryan, P. 1 1934 Nellie Flag Filly 2 1933 Porter, E. 2 1939 Seabo, G. 1 1934 Cavalcade Colt 3 1933 Robertson, A. 1 1939 Smith, F. A. 2 1934 Discovery Colt 3 1933 Saunders, W. 1 1939 Smith, G. 1 1934 Bazaar Filly 3 1933 Simmons, H. 1 1939 Stout, J. 1 1934 Mata Hari Filly 3 1933 Smith, J. 1 1939 Taylor, W. L. 1 1934 Advising Anna Filly 4 1933 Westrope, J. 4 1939 Wall, N. 1 1934 Faireno Horse 5 1933 Woolf, G. 1 1939 Westrope, J. 1 1934 Equipoise Horse 6 1933 Workman, R.
    [Show full text]
  • A RESOLUTION Acknowledging Kentucky's 28Th Senate District As the Birthplace of American Pharoah. WHEREAS, American Pharoah
    UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 01/06/16 16 REG. SESS. 16 RS BR 374 A RESOLUTION acknowledging Kentucky's 28th Senate District as the birthplace of American Pharoah. WHEREAS, American Pharoah was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on February 2, 2012, and spent six months at Tom VanMeter's Stockplace Farm in Clark County; and WHEREAS, American Pharoah is owned by Ahmed Zayat and trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, and was heralded early in his life for his calm demeanor and exquisite temperament; and WHEREAS, American Pharoah made his racing debut as a two-year-old at the Del Mar Racetrack, where he finished fifth. After that race he would be ridden exclusively by jockey Victor Espinoza, and the pair would go on to make sports history together; and WHEREAS, on May 2, 2015, at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, American Pharoah was the favorite in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby. In sloppy conditions, American Pharoah held off the field to win by a length and positioned himself as the favorite in the second leg of the Triple Crown; and WHEREAS, American Pharoah went on to win the Preakness and on June 6, 2015, in front of 90,000 people at New York's Belmont Park, won the Belmont Stakes to become the first thoroughbred in 37 years to capture one of the most elusive prizes in sports, the Triple Crown; and WHEREAS, on October 31, 2015, at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, American Pharoah made a homecoming for the ages by completing the first "Grand Slam" in horseracing history, winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and setting the track record; and WHEREAS, this Honorable Body commends American Pharoah for his remarkable achievements in the sport of Thoroughbred racing, and in so doing acknowledges Kentucky's 28th Senate District; Tom VanMeter, owner of Stockplace Farm; and all those in this great Commonwealth who have championed this world class athlete on his way to sports immortality; NOW, THEREFORE, Page 1 of 2 BR037400.100 - 374 - 1164 Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 01/06/16 16 REG.
    [Show full text]
  • Sunland Park's Leading Owner Judge Lanier Racing
    MEDIA GUIDE 2016 – 2017 WELCOME TO THE NEWS MEDIA TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 The Area | The Property Live racing at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino begins on Friday, December 16, and the 3 Historical Highlights | Track Facts 72-day meet will be powered by a highly lucrative stakes schedule worth over $5 million. 4 Rick Baugh General Manager | Sunland Park & The Kentucky Derby Over $1.5 million in purses will be offered on Sunland Derby (GR III) day – Sunday, 5 NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance March 26, 2017. The 14th running of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (GR III) at one and 6-7 2016 – 2017 Stakes Schedule one-eighth miles will be the richest and most important race of the meet for three-year-old 8-9 Leading Thoroughbred Trainers Thoroughbreds seeking a berth in the 2017 Kentucky Derby. The winner of the Sunland Derby (GR III) receives 50 critical qualifying points for entry into the Kentucky Derby. A record 10-11 Leading Thoroughbred Jockeys crowd of 19,081 fans came to witness the 2015 edition of the Sunland Derby (GR III). 12 Sunland Park Handicap The 2015 Sunland Derby (GR III) winner, Firing Line, ran second to eventual Triple Crown 13 Harry W. Henson Handicap | Copper Top Futurity winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby. Sunland Derby (GR III) winners Chitu 14-15 Sunland Derby (GR III) History | Sunland Park Oaks (2014), Governor Charlie (2013), Daddy Nose Best (2012) and Twice the Appeal (2011) all ran 16 Leading Owner | The Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap in the Kentucky Derby.
    [Show full text]
  • May01/2021 Kentucky Derby Wager Guide Churchill Downs
    1/ST BET // WAGER GUIDE KENTUCKY DERBY MAY01/2021 CHURCHILL DOWNS MEET THE 2021 DERBY CONTENDERS By Johnny D., @XBJohnnyD ESSENTIAL QUALITY: Unbeaten in five career starts, this son of Tapit is the defending Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and reigning 2-year-old champ. He’s also the current consensus pick as top 3-year-old. This Brad Cox-trained colt has done everything right in two 2021 starts. He romped home in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park and then out-fought a game, pace scenario- aided Highly Motivated at Keeneland to win the Grade 2 Blue Grass by a neck. He races a bit off the pace early, but can quickly reach contention when prompted. He has won by as much as four and one-quarter lengths and by as little as a neck. Last September, he broke his maiden first time out going six furlongs at Churchill Downs, so you know he likes the track. Jockey Luis Saez seeks redemption aboard this colt for the disappointment and criticism the rider endured following the disqualification of his mount Maximum Security from first to 17th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Trainer Brad Cox won last season’s Eclipse Award as the nation’s top trainer. HOT ROD CHARLIE: Ever since stretching out to two turns on the main track and adding blinkers, this son of Preakness winner Oxbow has been a tiger. His first race under those particular circumstances came in the fourth start of his career and resulted in a one-mile maiden score at Santa Anita in October.
    [Show full text]
  • OVERVIEW the Field for This Year's Kentucky Derby Is
    OVERVIEW The field for this year’s Kentucky Derby is unusually strong. The winners of all of the major prep races---- Arkansas, Florida, California, Kentucky, New York, Louisiana and Dubai---were dominant. Two key angles this year: two horses, including race favorite Justify, are trying to break the “Curse of Apollo,” named after the last horse to win the Derby without having raced as a two-year old. The last time it happened was 1882! The other theme is the dominance by big time trainers. Four of the most renowned trainers in the world, Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown and Aidan O’Brien train all of the major contenders and it would be a surprise if a horse from somebody else’s barn won. Rain is in the forecast for Friday but Saturday is expected to be dry so track conditions are not likely to be a factor. I’ll assess every horse in the field, in post-position order. THE FIELD #1 FIRENZE FIRE - The post position is awful and the horse is too slow. #2 FREE DROP BILLY - Lousy post position but the horse is training well and could come from off the pace for a lesser placing. #3 PROMISES FULFILLED - He’s the likely pacesetter and may be on the lead for most of the race. But the pace is likely to be torrid and I doubt he’ll last. #4 FLAMEAWAY - Not likely but not impossible. He should be close to the pace and ran a good second to Good Magic in the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 (NP) SR 682 by Senator Hukill 8-00355B-16 2016682__ Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words Stricken Are Deletions; W
    Florida Senate - 2016 (NP) SR 682 By Senator Hukill 8-00355B-16 2016682__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution congratulating American Pharoah’s Florida 3 trainers, J.B. McKathan and Kevin McKathan, on 4 American Pharoah’s victories in the 2015 Triple Crown 5 of Thoroughbred Racing. 6 7 WHEREAS, a horse must win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness 8 Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in order to achieve the Triple 9 Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, regarded as the greatest 10 accomplishment that a racehorse can attain, and 11 WHEREAS, American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat of Teaneck, 12 New Jersey, is the first horse since Florida’s Affirmed in 1978 13 to win the Triple Crown, thus becoming the 12th Thoroughbred to 14 accomplish that feat, and 15 WHEREAS, American Pharoah was trained by Bob Baffert, and 16 WHEREAS, jockey Victor Espinoza successfully rode American 17 Pharoah in each of the three races leading to the Triple Crown, 18 and 19 WHEREAS, American Pharoah comes from the Florida bloodlines 20 of champions Unbridled and Tri Jet and is a descendant of 1973 21 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, and 22 WHEREAS, brothers J.B. McKathan and Kevin McKathan are 23 partners in the McKathan Brothers Training Center in Citra, 24 where J.B. provided early schooling for the colt American 25 Pharoah, and 26 WHEREAS, the McKathan brothers have been raising and 27 training racehorses for decades, bringing up several Kentucky 28 Derby winners, including back-to-back championships for the 29 trainers in 1997 and 1998, and Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
    [Show full text]
  • This Year's Kentucky Derby Is Considered Wide Open As No Horse
    OVERVIEW: This year’s Kentucky Derby is considered wide open as no horse has seemed especially dominant. In the 80s and 90s, the favorite never seemed to win but that trend has been totally reversed. The post-time wagering favorite has actually won the Derby each of the last four years. Still, the payouts have been solid as the 20-horse field and the desire of bettors to chase longshots spreads the money around. The favorite this year could be 4-1 or higher as there is no clear standout. There’s a strong chance of a wet track as the weather in Louisville is lousy through the weekend and I have factored that into my analysis. I’ll assess each horse, in post-position order. THE FIELD (in post position order): #1 LOOKIN AT LEE - I really liked this horse as he had a very troubled trip last time when third in the Arkansas Derby and has been improving with each race. But it is almost impossible to win the Derby from this post position. #2 NOVEMBER SNOW - This horse made the field by winning the UAE Derby in Dubai and that route still hasn’t produced a Derby winner. But this one is by far the best horse to come via Dubai. He won a Grade 1 grass race in Europe as a two year old last year and has gotten better since being switched to the dirt. But the post position is awful and I am discounting him. #3 FAST AND ACCURATE - He may be accurate but he’s not fast.
    [Show full text]
  • Horse Racing B Y : R E a G a N J E N N I N G S P E R I O D : 5 Breeders’ Cup: Arrogate’S Win Ends California Chrome’S Perfect Year By: Joe Drape Nov
    D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 | I S S U E 1 | V O L 1 Horse Racing B Y : R E A G A N J E N N I N G S P E R I O D : 5 Breeders’ Cup: Arrogate’s Win Ends California Chrome’s Perfect Year By: Joe Drape Nov. 5, 2016 Internet Article 1-Sequence ARCADIA, Calif. — The 33rd running of the Breeders’ Cup Classic was supposed to be the coronation of California Chrome, widely regarded as not only the best horse on the planet but also one of the most beloved. He is the Horatio Alger of the equine set, a determined athlete who outran his modest pedigree and endured the chaos often foisted upon him by the humans around him. Happy endings, however, are hard to come by at the racetrack, especially when there is a $6 million purse on the line, as there was on Saturday at Santa Anita Park for the Classic. Such a purse is catnip for deep-pocketed owners and the Hall of Fame trainers they employ. Exhibit A is Juddmonte Farms, the name under which members of the royal family of Saudi Arabia breed and race some of the most expensive and exquisite horses in the world. Among those horses is Arrogate, a late-developing 3-year-old whom the Saudi royal family paid $550,000 for as a yearling and parked in the barn of Bob Baffert, one of America’s most successful trainers, who bounces slow horses from his barn at a rate that would make “Dancing With the Stars” contestants dizzy.
    [Show full text]
  • Representations of Latinos in U.S. Horse-Racing's
    “If horses could talk, they would surely speak Spanish”: Representations of Latinos in U.S. Horse-Racing’s Racially Stratified Labor Hierarchy Alisa Yamaguchi Advisor: Andrea Otanez University of Washington Department of Communication June 2016 Abstract The purpose of this research is to assess Latino representation within Thoroughbred Horse-Racing’s division of labor. With the influx of Latin American immigrants beginning in 1946, the ethnic background of jockeys racing in the Kentucky Derby gradually shifted in the 1960s from white to predominantly Latino and is now apparent in today’s Grade I racing. Examination of this rapid racial change reveals its effects on horse-racing’s hierarchical division of power, which has evident disparate monetary repercussions for jockeys and backstretch workers. The relationship between Latino, income, and jockey has cultural and social significance because of barriers that prevent people of color from advancing to the top tier of “owner” in horse-racing. Key Terms: Latino, Latin American, Race, Immigration, Labor, Thoroughbred Horse- Racing, Jockey, and Backstretch Worker Introduction As the horses were loaded into the gates for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby in May 2015, the record crowd of 170,513 (WDRB, 2015) was focused on the morning-line 5-2 favorite (Wire, Sports Illustrated, 2015), American Pharoah, jockeyed by Victor Espinoza, a native of Tulancingo, Mexico. Cheers erupted throughout Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky as the field of eighteen horses emerged from the track gates. Their bodies soon merged together into a mechanized unit that closely followed the entire 1.25-mile distance across the dirt track.
    [Show full text]