2/7/06 - TALKIN' HORSES with JERRY BAILEY on www.bloodhorse.com

Oak Hills, CA
Congrats on a great career; racing just won't seem the same without you. What is your greatest challenge going to be in your new career in the booth?

Bailey:
My greatest challenge in the broadcast booth will be to present the races in a way that more and more viewers really want to tune in because they are understanding the sport more.
 

Lexington, KY
Hello Mr. Bailey. My grandma, who is 95, still follows racing and you've been her favorite rider for many years -- she always wanted to know which horse you'd be on. As much as our family will miss watching you ride, we're certainly looking forward to seeing you in your new role on ABC and ESPN. You mentioned in an interview that it was riding Cigar that caused you to first love horses. What was it about him that was so different from all of the others you had ridden?

Bailey:
The reason Cigar was so special was that he loved people and loved the attention. He is also a very kind and gentle horse.
 

Caracas, Venezuela
First of all, thanks for the memories from all racing fans in Venezuela. Hope you fully enjoy this new stage of your life. What has been the most dangerous spill/accident you had at the track?

Bailey:
My most dangerous spill occurred in the Fall Highweight Handicap at Belmont Park in the fall of 1985. I broke my back in three places, three ribs, and my foot in three places.
 

Bloomsburg, PA
Hi Jerry. I am hoping you remember me; last Spring at the Keeneland meet I attended a book signing for "Against The Odds" and I gave you a photo I took of you and Peace Rules in the 2004 Whitney at Saratoga. I was surprised that you retired this year, as I thought you would stick with First Samurai for the Derby trail and Triple Crown. Having seen his first start this past weekend, how do you think he is looking for this year?

Bailey:
First Samurai's first race of the year was a good one; however, I am not convinced that he will relish the distances as they get over a mile and an eighth.
 

Springfield, MO
Hi, Jerry. Best wishes in your new career. Looking back, what races stand out to you as especially sweet memories? On the opposite side, what races would you most like a second chance to ride?

Bailey:
My best race memory is the 1996 Dubai World Cup. I really wouldn't say that I would ride any races in my career differently if I had the chance, but I certainly would have chosen a different post position in the 2003 KY Derby if I had it to do over again.
 

West Grove, PA
Now that you are retired and are no longer indebted to trainers and owners to give you rides, what are your thoughts on this year's three year old contingent now preparing for the Derby? Do you think First Samurai's race in the Hutcheson was a throw out and just a prep for bigger things to come as he matures?

Bailey:
First Samurai's first race back was very good, he just ran into one of those Pletcher freaks.
 

Miami, Florida
You have the power, Jerry, to change one thing in horse racing - what would it be?

Bailey:
If I could change anything in horse racing, it would be to market the human stars more (the jockeys and trainers) because, even though the horses are our product, the great ones aren't around long enough to market and create a public following.
 

New York, NY
Is there any truth to the rumor that you were very close to getting the Smarty Jones mount? I can't help but wonder what would have happened if you were riding him at Belmont.

Bailey:
No, there is no truth at all to the rumor that I was close to getting the mount on Smarty Jones. Their connections never even intimated that they wanted to change, at least not to me.
 

New York, NY
Unlike the other jockeys, I used to see you in the mornings at Belmont Park. How much of your success do you attribute to outworking and preparation? It seemed like you always were in the right spot, especially when I was betting against you.

Bailey:
Until the last few years, I would be at the track at least 5 mornings a week. Even recently, with traveling back and forth to Florida from N.Y., I was out in the a.m. 4 days a week. Even if I did not actually get on a horse, the public relations with the trainers went a long way (if they were out there working, why shouldn't the jock be out as well?).
 

Dallas, Tx
Jerry, thanks for taking our questions. I was at Del Mar for the Pacific Classic and last year I saw Cigar at the KHP and he still looks like he could run today. What do you think was the number one reason that made him so great. Take Care...Don

Bailey:
Don, I think that God was the number one reason that Cigar was great, he was blessed with immense talent and speed, but the reason he was so great for an extended period of time, was his trainer Bill Mott.

Ocala, FL
Why didn't you just hang around and ride on the weekends, or is that just not possible? Also, if you had a chance to ride any 3YO in this year's Derby, who would it be?

Bailey:
Riding just the weekends and expecting to remain at a high level is impossible. A jockey needs to compete on a regular basis to keep his or her skills at a peak level, even if it just 2 or 3 mounts a day during the week. I haven't seen a horse yet that I would endorse for this year's Derby, but it's really early yet.

Burlington, NJ
How soon do you start your new career?

Bailey:
My first broadcast is March 18th at Santa Anita, followed by the Dubai World Cup the following week.

Mamaroneck, NY
You're not only an impeccable horseman, you are also a good businessman. Is that a side of your life that you will pursue more heavily now that you've retired from riding? Do you think you might expand your role on the industry side, as far as getting involved more with leadership positions in some of the organizations or taking part in some of the more economical/legislative issues?

Bailey:
I am spending slightly more time on my non-horse related business ventures, but my main focus will still be racing, just in another platform.
 

Heber City, Utah
How would you rate your favorite American horses with those you rode in Europe?

Bailey:
I believe as a whole, American horses are better on dirt, and the Europeans are better on grass because the respective countries breed for those types.
 

Arlington Heights, IL
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions today. Couple of questions - first, I know you and Suzie were involved in the foundation of Anna's House, and I was just wondering if you have any other charities that you plan to work with now that you're retired. Second, will you be up at Saratoga this year even though you won't be racing?

Bailey:
Yes, I will continue to support Anna House Charities, and yes I will be in Saratoga this summer for broadcasting.
 

Gainesville, FL
Where does Empire Maker rank among the horses you've ridden?

Bailey:
Empire Maker had more raw talent than any other 3-year-old I had ever ridden. If he had stayed sound, he would have done some incredible things.
 

Essington, Pennsylvania
Mr. Bailey, as a handicapper my grandfather told me once that when betting horses racing in the slop one should always look for horses with the shortest legs. Any truth to that theory in your experience?

Bailey:
No I have never heard that one, however, I do believe that a slighter built horse has a bit of an advantage over a big heavy horse on an off track.

Louisville, KY
The Derby seems like it is the hardest to win. You have two, Pat Day has one. Why do you think it is so hard to win the big one? Do you think the Derby should be limited to smaller fields?

Bailey:
One of the hardest things for a jockey in demand to do is to pick the right mount . Most top riders have their choice of several horses. But owners and trainers usually need a commitment at least two races prior to the Derby, and since these 3 year olds progress and regress rapidly at that time of year, a good choice in March, might not be the right one in May. Even if you do pick the right one ( Empire Maker as an example) your mount has to remain healthy. And finally, no I do not think the field size should be smaller, it would be an injustice to prior winners to change the rules now.

Chicago, Illinois
Jerry, could you comment on your relationship with other jockeys. Is it a bitter rivalry, friendship, mutual respect? We'll miss you in Chicago.

Bailey:
Although I have had a couple of true friendships with other jockeys, it is extremely difficult. To be a successful jockey, you certainly cannot give "friendly breaks" to your friends out on the track, and you or your agent are constantly trying to get on the best mounts, even if it is at the expense of another jockey's feelings.

Jersey City, NJ
Jerry, in your opinion how much difference does the trainer make when you are talking about a great horse? At that point does it matter who is training?

Bailey:
A great horse will be great in the care of an average trainer, or being ridden by an average jockey, but a truly good trainer can extend the length of a great horse's career.

Cincinnati, Ohio
Hi Jerry, Congrats on a very special and exciting career! What did you eat for your first big meal when you knew your riding was completed?

Bailey:
My first lunch, I ordered a Rueben sandwich, something I had been wanting to do for at least 10 years (I could only finish half).

Olive Hill, KY
Jerry, what do you consider the best overall horse you rode, and was there one that you let get away?

Bailey:
The best horse I rode was Cigar, and the best horse that I almost rode was Ghostzapper. I had worked him out and Bobby Frankel was under the impression that I didn't like him. Oh, well.
 

Cold Spring, KY
I suspect you've ridden far too many great horses to pick one you consider to be superior to the others, but I was wondering, generally speaking, how Saint Liam stacks up. He's a deserving Horse of the Year and I will miss seeing him run. My favorite video clip and call was the Woodward, where Tom Durkin said, "Jerry Bailey looks like a statue in the stirrups! Saint Liam is just galloping here!" Wow.

Bailey:
How good was St. Liam? It is impossible to compare horses from different years, but he was among the best I have ridden.
 

Alpharetta, GA
When Pat Day was asked, he said you were one of the jockeys with a good sense of humor. Who were some that could make you laugh?

Bailey:
Bill Shoemaker has a great sense of humor, but the funniest jockey I have ever come across has to be Bryan Fann. He rode through the mid-west and was the leading jockey at Monnmoth Park in NJ in the late 70"s.

Orlando, FL
I suspect you will be another Michael Jordan and return next year. You come across as too competitive to sit around doing commentary. Are you 99.9% retired or 100% retired? What are you going to do for your competitive nature? Golf?

Bailey:
I am 100% retired. My competitive spirit will be addressed by not only golf, but trying to succeed in bringing racing to you fans in a way that you've never had it before. I will call them like I see them, I will relate to the public exactly what we think and do out there as jockeys.

MODERATOR:
I'm sure I speak for everybody when I say how enjoyable this has been. Thanks for sharing your memories with us, Jerry, and continued good fortune in whatever you do with the next phase of your life.