All photos courtesy of Julie June Stewart

I remember the first time I actually met a jockey at Santa Anita. I was so star struck. I was walking down the path with Gary Stevens when he turned those magnificent blue eyes my way and said, “hello.”  Now I am an articulate, well-read woman, and all of the sudden I was a very shy filly who couldn’t put two words together. The chatter in my brain was insane. “The eyes of an eagle! George Woolf from Seabiscuit! Iceman! This is THEE Gary Stevens! I KNOW!!!! SAY SOMETHING!!” He walked away as I yelled, “I read your book!” and then I collapsed on a bench slapping my head at how stupid I must have sounded. Oh my goodness. He is one very handsome man.

Later that year, I had my first interview with a jockey. Not just any jockey, but Mike Smith! I was not going to let my previous experience wreck this opportunity for me. So I carefully did all my research and wrote all my questions down in advance in case my brain decided to wander back to 13-year-old teenage hero-worship territory again. I was to meet him at the jockeys’ room door at Santa Anita. Right on time, here comes Mike Smith. He was in a white, cotton bathrobe! Dressed with only that stunning smile! I am amazed that I could even speak. I think I probably opened my notebook and pointed to the questions. When I was done, Mike asked incredulously, “That’s it?” because I only had six questions and it went kind of fast. And the worst part of it is that there was NO one around that I could ask to take our picture together, except trainer John Sadler, and I was too shy to ask him. Once again, I collapsed on the park bench as rattled as a 16-year-old.

MIKE SMITH

Since that first year in racing, I have met hundreds of jockeys and still hero worship. So when I was invited to go up to the jockeys’ room on Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs, it was a no brainer. I happily galloped up the stairs and into their world. Here is what it felt like.  

When you are in the center of a hurricane, where do you go to gather your wits? For a jockey during Kentucky Derby week, there are several rooms upstairs above the hubbub of the crowd where they can relax, strategize and prepare for their races. It’s not fancy. In fact, it is a bit shabby with its cement cinderblock walls painted pedestrian yellow-beige with a brown highlight. There are several couches where jockeys can hang out visiting friends and family. There is a corner where they can review their races either on the computer or on the in house feed. There is a constant flow of VIP visitors who are escorted through. 

When I arrived, there was a group of young jockeys playing pool and the room was very quiet. One jockey was reviewing his race silently. His head cocked studiously. When Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero walked in, the room instantly received a jolt of electricity. Everyone turned his way and wanted to shake his hand and say hello. After greeting the execs and VIPs, Angel went over and hung out with the young jocks. There is a saying when pilots talk in a hangar that they “fly their wrists and wristwatches.” In many ways, the jockeys are like pilots. Their arms move into positions holding imaginary reins as they pump their arms telling their stories. Tales in Spanish flew across the pool table as they entertained Angel and shared stories about riding. 

RIDERS SURROUND HALL OF FAMER AGEL CORDERO JR.

One by one, the celebrated jockeys walked into the room. Almost each one was grabbed instantly for a television interview. There they are: Calvin Borel, Johnny V, “Jersey” Joe Bravo, Rafael Bejarano, Joel Rosario, Mike Smith and Gary Stevens. For the most part they are respectfully left alone, but there were moments when visitors reached out and asked for a photo or an autograph.

JOHN VELAZQUEZ, AKA “JOHNNY V”

There is a comfortable breeze blowing in from an outside deck. I realize that is where the famous “Derby Jockeys” picture is taken each year. Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) patches and stickers are prominent everywhere but especially on the sliding-glass door to the deck. There is a good reason for that. Evidently, James Graham was outside on the deck several years ago. He came flying back into the lounge when he hit the glass door and almost knocked himself out.  Of course, he still rode his race! But now there are stickers all across the door to keep errant birds and jockeys from hurting themselves.

A VIP tour came in with a bevy of beautiful women and handsome men. There was one individual who you knew instantly was “somebody.” It was former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie! The men were taken into the private jockey quarters (“Men only, no photo’s please!”), and I could hear the jockeys applaud Flutie. When they came out, the women were escorted into the female jockey quarters for a quick view.

On the walls are a series of framed Peb Bellocq drawings of jockeys. As the jockeys walk by, they are casually dressed. It is great to see them smile and laugh. Usually, I see them with their game faces on as they ride out to the track. Silks are hanging loosely instead of tucked in. Most of the jockeys are in their sleeveless turtlenecks, and it’s a treat to see their tattoos and muscles. Calvin Borel slips by wrapped in only two green striped towels monogramed with “Calvin” on them and smiles sheepishly. There is a bulletin board strategically placed across the entrance to the private quarters thus preventing any inadvertent views. 

“JERSEY” JOE BRAVO

It’s amazing how I have moved into this wonderful world of horse racing. Jockeys came over to shake my hand and say hello. I had a wonderful interview with Joel Rosario. While inside I may still be a star-struck youngster, I can now enjoy their company and hold actual conversations.

Outside there is a maelstrom of humanity all waiting for the jockeys’ next race. The biggest clue to just how crazy things are is that every cell phones seems to ding relentlessly with text messages. Over and over and over, the bells are ringing. I step into the foyer, and the jockeys for the next race are gathering. They have their silks and helmets on I hear a “Let’s go!” and the door opens. They turn around and smile at me and I give them a thumbs up. Single file, they head to the stairway and to their mounts.  Along the way, the crowds cheer and applaud.

I was grateful for the time spent with the jockeys. Derby week is extremely chaotic. I can see now how important it is that they have a sanctuary to which they can retreat. They are a unique set of athletes who compete against each other and then relax in the same room together. I will always be a little bit star struck when I am with my heros. But it’s a great feeling when one of them smiles at you and says hello.