Columnist Ralph Siraco: Hurrahs at Hollywood Park pay tribute to Pincay

Ralph Siraco

Monday, July 14, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

When Hall of Fame rider Laffit Pincay Jr. was honored here in Las Vegas shortly after he broke Bill Shoemaker's all-time record for most wins in horse racing, he confided to me and a few close friends that he wanted to reach the lofty goal of 10,000 lifetime victories before he finally retired from the saddle.

On March 1 at Santa Anita, that goal and Pincay's remarkable career as jockey came to an abrupt end. He was involved in a spill that sent him hard to the ground at the point where the horses crossed over the main dirt oval to the infield turf course during one of those unique downhill turf races.

At first, Pincay, 53, who walked into the track's first aid room, thought it was nothing more than a nagging pain in his neck that would heal with a few days of rest. Later, after a doctors visit, it was revealed that Pincay was lucky to be walking at all.

He had suffered multiple fractures of vertebra in his neck. And, after a lengthy recovery harnessed to a halo brace around his head, Pincay learned his fate during the week of the Kentucky Derby. A press release that was lost in the Derby fever shuffle conveyed the news that Pincay would not return to the saddle. Ever.

Like that, his goal was over. Just like that, the sport of horse racing lost an icon. PIncay, who had ridden through five decades and acentury, was gone from competition.

The charity ceremony at The Orleans recalled a bigger-than-life career and celebrated Pincay's perch as the winningest jockey in the history of the sport.

On Sunday, at Hollywood Park, Pincay's great riding career was celebrated by those who admired him, those who were inspired by him, those who competed against him, those who hired him, those who worked for him, those who live with him and those who bet on him. All who loved him.

It was a day of redressing the attention he so much deserved from a retirement that he so much wanted to deny. Pincay was moved. Pincay was emotional. And, while thanking those who gathered at the Southern California track to get one last glimpse of the sport's Rock of Gibraltar, it was clear that Pincay did not want to go. He did not want to leave what was his life for so many years. Not like this. It was not on his terms.

Pincay ends a 39-year riding career with more awards and titles than any jockey in history. He won 9,530 races from 48,487 mounts with career earnings of $237,417,045. He won 43 riding titles -- all but three on the tough Southern California racing circuit -- seven national earnings titles and 14 races worth more than $1 million in purse money.

Inducted into racing's Hall Of Fame in 1975, Pincay is the only six-time Eclipse Award winner, receiving his last as a "singular achievement" in 1999 for breaking Bill Shoemaker's all-time record of 8,833 wins. He won four Triple Crown races that included the 1984 Kentucky Derby aboard Swale and seven Breeders' Cup races.

He won 400 Graded stakes races and his equine dance card is a who's who of racing. They include Cougar II, Susan's Girl, Sham, Ancient Title, Bold Forbes, Affirmed, Crystal Water, Genuine Risk, Relaunch, John Henry, Conquistador Cielo, Landaluce, Perrault, Caveat, Gate Dancer, Swale, Skywalker, Spend a Buck, Tasso, Creme Fraiche, Bayakoa, Tight Spot, Phone Chatter, Sky Jack, Squirtle Squirt and Medaglia d'Oro -- just to name a few.

His lifetime in the saddle also included 11 broken collarbones, 10 broken ribs and two spinal fractures leading to all the shattered records.

But, his accomplishments on the track are paled in comparison to the person. In commemorating the occasion, Pincay's peers constantly pointed to his dedication, competitiveness, determination, discipline, enthusiasm and work ethic as cornerstones of his character. They knew him as a fiery competitor and a gentleman of class and honor.

"He set a precedent every day by just being who he was," said Hall of Fame female rider Julie Krone. "You loved to compete with him, but at the same time, while you were competing with him, you find yourself in awe of him."

Recently retired Hall of Famer jockey Chris McCarron marveled at Pincay.

"He's the most dedicated athlete I've ever known, competed against, or read about," McCarron said. "He would ride if he was sick, ride if he was hurt, ride despite extremely traumatic personal issues when he was emotionally distraught."

McCarron went on to compare Pincay to Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig. And, he was always there to help and encourage any fellow riders. Pincay has inspired many riders who fill the jockey's rooms across the country today.

Pincay has endured the ups and downs that comes with the territory of life and race-riding, from dealing with first wife Linda's suicide in 1985 through the trials and tribulations of keeping a miniature Schwarzenegger body at riding weight on a perpetual diet of 700 calories a day.

On Sunday, after all the awards that included a letter from President Bush, a proclomation of Laffit Pincay, Jr. Day from the city of Inglewood, Calif., and a street named after him, Pincay took the microphone to express his thanks and appreciation.

A usually quiet man, Pincay stood among an armada of dignitaries and stars before a throng of fans and admirers, and modestly thanked them all. With his family and friends by his side, after wiping tears from his eyes, he wanted to say how much he was proud of his native Panama and his home of America. He did.

Only the great ones are known simply by their first name. Tiger. Michael. Magic. Laffit. He is the greatest, in every sense of the word. And, I'm just glad I was along for the ride.