Thoroughbred legend Pincay honored, roasted at Orleans

Ralph Siraco

Tuesday, March 14, 2000 | 10:20 a.m.

Las Vegas has always been a town where legends are made.

Monday night at the Orleans, a legend made Las Vegas.

An eclectic crowd filed into the hotel's Mardi Gras ballroom to honor Laffit Pincay Jr., a living legend of thoroughbred racing.

Only a legend such as Pincay could bring together racing executives from around the country, the best players of the game, famous trainers, riding contemporaries, show-business celebrities and lifelong fans of the sport.

They came, they ate, they reminisced and they celebrated the world's winningest jockey. They came to spend a night with Pincay, and to raise money for two worthy charitable foundations.

It was a night to honor -- and roast -- the greatest jockey of our time, a night to remember the man who became the sport's winningest rider last Dec. 10 when he won with Irish Nip in the sixth race at Hollywood Park for career victory number 8,833.

Coast Resorts race book director Robert "Muggsy" Muniz presented the event, which raised money for the Don McBeth Foundation and the Shoemaker Foundation.

The benefit came right after the world's largest handicapping tournament and during the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's marketing summit, both hosted by the Orleans.

Hosting the roast was ESPN racing personality Chris Lincoln. The fun started when Lincoln -- referring to his battle with the scale -- said he has "gained and lost" several Pincays during his lifetime.

Next, comedian Tim Conway, a longtime racing fan, shuffled through numerous slides cracking wise, a la Dennis Miller doing the "news."

Trainer Richard Mandella, who conditioned Irish Nip, blamed Pincay for switching his back pain pills for a bottle of Viagra. "It hasn't helped the pain in my back, but I'm sure glad I'm standing in front of this podium," Mandella quipped.

Jockey Chris McCarron, whose wife Judy founded the McBeth Fund along with Conway, remembered how helpful Pincay was when McCarron first came to California to ride. "He gave me lessons on riding and pointers on the track," McCarron said. "But it came at a price," because Pincay gave the lessons in competition rather than in the jocks' room.

Eddie Delahoussaye recalled Pincay's diet discipline, recounting the famous tale of Pincay splitting a peanut in two, eating half and saving the other half for later. Afterward, Delahoussaye produced a bag of peanuts that he promised to split with Pincay.

Santa Anita leading jockey Corey Nakatani, who shares an agent with Pincay, said, "I always wondered how (Pincay) kept that perfectly groomed jet-black hair." Nakatani had nothing but praise and respect for Pincay, his lifelong idol.

Retired jockey Sandy Hawley flew in from Canada to join the parade of roasters. He recalled a plane flight with Pincay on which the two shared an ice cream sundae. When Pincay had to retreat to the bathroom to "flip" his meal, the stewardess recruited Hawley to help his distressed friend in the lavatory. Hawley replied, "Don't worry. It must have been something he ate."

The show-stopper, however, came when jockey Alex Solis, a fellow Panamanian, took the podium with an "interpreter."

Solis, who speaks and understands English very well, rattled off several phrases in his native tongue, only to have his comedic sidekick relay that the jockey wanted to show off his body to the crowd. That was in reference to Pincay's outstanding chiseled physique. Solis jokingly added that his "grandmother" told him about Pincay when Solis was a child in Panama.

Finally, it was Pincay's turn. The ageless wonder entertained the crowd with one-liners and recollections from his career. The audience relished his funny side, as did the targets of his wisecracks.

And they showed their respect and admiration for the new king of the sport of kings.

At the end of the evening, attendees reflected on a special night. It was their chance to see and hear a different side of those they bet on and cheer for each day at the tracks and in the race books. They embraced their opportunity to put a personality to the famous names.

It was truly a special night for a special person -- in a special city.

Viva Laffit!