2008 NEWS/PRESS RELEASES

Jerry on the ESPN set at Gulfstrean, for the Florida Derby (G1). Joe Tessetore left and Randy Moss in the middle

OLDER NEWS

10/18/06 - Bailey elected to Broward County Sports Hall of Fame

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey was inducted on Tuesday into Florida's Broward County Sports Hall of Fame.

Bailey was one of six inductees for 2006, along with former Miami Dolphins President Tim Robbie, rodeo cowboy Ron Bergeron, swimmer Andy Coan, basketball player Lisa Ingram, and high school baseball coach Ed Waters.

Bailey retired from riding in January and resides in Davie in Broward County.

8/1/06 - Excelsior enlists Bailey in bid for New York franchise
Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey has joined Excelsior Racing Associates in its bid to land the franchise to run New York’s major Thoroughbred tracks beginning in 2008.

Excelsior, one of 16 groups that have expressed interest in securing the rights to run Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course, is headed by Stephen Swindal, son-in-law of New York Yankees owner and Thoroughbred owner/breeder George Steinbrenner, developer Richard Fields, and former New York Democratic comptroller candidate William Mulrow. The deadline to file a bid is August 29.

“JERRY BAILEY’S INSIDE TRACK: YOUR ADVANTAGE TO HORSE RACING & HANDICAPPING”
AVAILABLE ON DVD

4/28/06 - Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who earlier this year brought down the curtain on an illustrious 31-year riding career, reveals his thoughts on horse racing and his tips on handicapping in a new, two-volume DVD set titled, “Jerry Bailey’s Inside Track: Your Inside Advantage to Horse Racing and Handicapping.”

The DVD is available by calling 1-800-509-4000 or by visiting the website, www.winwithjerry.com. The special introductory price of each volume is $29.95, or $49.90 when both are purchased together. The retail price will be $49.95 for each.

In the DVD, Bailey, a seven-time Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s premier jockey, takes viewers behind the scenes of Thoroughbred racing via personal anecdotes and a series of handicapping tips. Bailey is seen in an extensive interview conducted by noted racing expert, and West Coast handicapper, Morty Mittenthal. Together, they examine the many variables that go into handicapping, breaking down past performances from the Daily Racing Form and using film footage that demonstrates what actually happened on the track.

"I've been around this great game just about my whole life and seen and experienced much,” said Bailey, who serves as a racing analyst on ABC and ESPN. “Over the years I’ve picked up what some might call inside information, which I’m now ready to share with the fans.”
 
Among the subjects Bailey discusses in the over two-hour Volume 1 are riding trends of jockeys, what to expect from different trainers, the place of drugs in the sport including his suggestion that veterinarians be identified within past performances, understanding horses and analyzing races, how to spot vulnerable favorites and horses ready for a breakthrough performance, the art of handicapping turf races and how to learn about a horse’s chances to perform from his pre-race body language. In the equally expansive Volume 2, Bailey critiques individual jockeys and trainers, discusses track biases of the dirt and turf courses at most major tracks, explains what handicappers can learn from horse workouts and examines paddock and post parade footage for lessons in advanced body language analysis.

“Our goal was to create a product that is both entertaining and educational as well as valuable for everyone from the occasional race fans to the serious handicapper,” said Mittenthal, who grew up two blocks from Pimlico Race Course, attended his first Preakness at age 13, served as a hot walker and groom and eventually became director of Bettor Relations and handicapper/TV host at the Baltimore track. “With this DVD, I believe Jerry delivers the ultimate insider’s look into the sport in which he played such a huge role for many years.”

1/28/06 - Said Jerry of his last ride on Silver Tree to a second in the SUNSHINE MILLIONS CLOVERLEAF FARMS TURF S.“You can only hope to get a good spot and wait for a hole to open up,I guess today it came a bit too late. I guess you could say I went out with a bang, because [Silver Tree] kicked me in the paddock. If I weren’t in so much pain going into the gate, I probably would have broken down. The crowd was beautiful. I just hope more of them bet to place than to win.”

“Hey, I’m just another little short guy now.”
Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey when asked where his entourage was at the end of the day

BAILEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Courtesy of the TDN

Jerry Bailey has announced he will retire from race riding as of Jan. 28, ending a 31-year career in the saddle that was one of the most successful in history. "I just feel it's time to spend more time with my wife, Suzee, and Justin--and I sort of want to walk away in one piece," Bailey said during a teleconference yesterday.

His final mount is scheduled to be aboard the Bill Mott-trained Silver Tree in the Sunshine Millions. The 48-year-old Texas native will then join ESPN and ABC Sports as a racing analyst. Bailey, a seventime Eclipse champion rider, won each leg of the Triple Crown twice and a record 15 Breeders' Cup races. He was the regular rider of two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, with whom he won the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996, and he capped his impressive Breeders' Cup resume with a win aboard Saint Liam in last year's Classic. Elected into Racing's Hall of Fame in 1995, he will retire as the sport's second leading money earner, behind Pat Day, and he holds the single-season earnings record of $23,354,960. Through Jan. 15, Bailey had ridden 5,892 winners from 30,846 North American mounts for earnings of $304,265,139.

Asked to pick a highlight from a career full of highlights, Bailey said, "The Kentucky Derbys are always very special, that is the pinnacle of any jockey's aspirations, but I would have to say that the 1996 Dubai World Cup with Cigar was one of my greatest moments. It was not only a victory for me, but I was also representing the U.S. It was as close to the Olympics as I can get." But after 31 years in the saddle, Bailey decided to call it a career. "Every year for the last three or four, I've taken the time off to see whether I have the same competitive fire," he explained. "I scaled back in the last few years and once you get deep into the season, you get to having to commit to horses and trainers and I didn't think I could get that deep into it this year. I came to the conclusion that whenever you do something for 31 years, there's never a good time [to retire], but I just decided that this was the right time." Looking back on his career, Bailey called Cigar, "the most charismatic horse I've ever been around," adding he, "came to love horses when I got on Cigar." As for his legacy to the sport, Bailey said, "The best way I can be remembered is that I gave everyone their money's worth and that I always put a horse in the right position if they were good enough."

Bailey will begin his career as a racing analyst with the ESPN telecast of the Santa Catalina S. on Mar. 18. "With ABC and ESPN's acquisition of the Belmont and the Breeders' Cup, it makes sense to bring in one of the greatest jockeys of all time," explained ESPN executive vice president of studio and remote production Norby Williamson. "It's an obvious no-brainer to add Jerry to our talent group."

2005 NEWS/PRESS RELEASES

12/14/05 - Jockey Jerry Bailey said he intends to ride at least the first part of the Gulfstream Park meeting.

Bailey, 48, has strongly hinted that he would retire at the end of this year. But on Tuesday, Bailey said he plans to ride when Gulfstream opens Jan. 4.

"I'm going to start riding at Gulfstream," Bailey said. "I don't know how long it's going to last."

Bailey, a seven-time Eclipse Award winner and a Hall of Famer, did say he has an interest in going into broadcasting when his career is through. But, he said, "I don't have any agreement with any network."

Bailey is the regular rider of First Samurai, the Hopeful and Champagne winner who will be based at Gulfstream this winter and who will be pointing to the April 1 Florida Derby.

With $295,792,809 in career purse earnings, Bailey is just $2,119,210 shy of Pat Day's career record of $297,912,019. Day retired in August.

JERRY'S BREEDERS' CUP MOUNTS:

Distaff-Sweet Symphony
Filly-Mare Turf- Ouiji Board
Juvenile colt- First Samuri
Juvenile Filly- Original Spin
Mile Turf- Sand Springs
BC Turf- Shakespeare
Classic- St.Liam

10/30/05 - Jerry will be appearing and signing autographs from noon - 1:30 Pm with Gary Stevens at the Hall of Heroes - Sports Gifts & Collectibles located at Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY 11530. For info: 800-242-7139

10/18/05 - Jerry spoke at the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing: “Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys and Workers: Examining On-Track Injury Insurance and Other Health andWelfare Issues”

Please click here to read his Testimony ( in .pdf format)

9/17/05 - Won the Belmont Futurity on board Private Vow:

Private Vow avoided a collision with a riderless horse and won the $300,000 Belmont Futurity on at Belmont Park.

Hall of Fame rider Jerry Bailey was aboard favorite Private Vow, and was forced to keep an eye on Disco's Sun, who stumbled at the gate and left rider Javier Castellano on the ground. Castellano was not injured.

Bailey guided Private Vow alongside Disco's Sun and beat Changing Weather by nine lengths in a race that stamped trainer Steve Asmussen's colt as one to watch in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Belmont on Oct. 29.

9/15/05 - Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey led all riders this past week with three stakes wins, including a two-length score aboard Saint Liam in the $490,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Belmont Park. On Sunday, Bailey guided Stellar Jayne to victory in the Ruffian Handicap (G1) and Shakespeare to a win in the Belmont Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) as the jockey continues to gain ground on Pat Day’s alltime earnings mark of $297,912,019. Through Tuesday, Bailey had $289,743,133 in career purse earnings. A seven-time Eclipse Award winner, Bailey, 48, ranks third this year in North American earnings at $12,262,708. He has won 134 wins from 530 mounts. Since August 7, Bailey has won five Grade 1 races on five different horses. In fact, his nine Grade 1 wins this season have come on nine different horses.

9/11/05 - STELLAR JAYNE SHINES IN RUFFIAN AS BAILEY BAGS FOUR
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Godolphin Stable’s Stellar Jayne, making her first start since winning the Misty Galore here on July 2nd, greeted Belmont Fall Championship Meet with a big `Hello!’ on Sunday afternoon, and she brought Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey home to a 1 ½-length victory in the 30th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Ruffian Handicap for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth.

It was the fourth winner of the afternoon for Bailey, who also won the Grade 2 Belmont Breeders’ Cup one race earlier with favored Shakespeare ($3.10). Bailey’s other winners on the day were Serena’s Cat ($5.30) in the second race and Charlevoix ($5.40) in the sixth. Stellar Jayne returned $4.50 for her eighth win in 20 starts.

Stellar Jayne, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, did him proud as the favorite of 6,637 in attendance at Belmont Park on Sunday afternoon. Showing no ill effects after her layoff, the four-year-old daughter of Wild Rush easily brought Bailey to the lead when Capeside Lady failed to show speed from the rail.

Stellar Jayne was then able to carve out fractions of :23 4/5; :47; 1:10 4/5 and 1:35 1/5, and while Society Selection made a late run from the inside, the case was closed in 1:41 4/5.

“I thought I would be tracking the 1 (Capeside Lady),” said Bailey, who also won Saturday’s Grade 1 Woodward with Saint Liam to highlight his big weekend. “She broke sharp and went into a nice, relaxed mode. The 1 never showed up, so I just took what came easy. She had plenty left in the tank.”

Suroor said he would consider running Stellar Jayne back in the Grade 1, $750,000 Beldame here at nine furlongs on Saturday, October 1st, but his main objective is the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, also at nine furlongs, here on Saturday, October 29th as part of the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

“She had a good winter in Dubai,” Suroor said. “We really thought she would be a star. We were very patient with her all the time. Her first race this year was a prep for the main one today. She was impressive. Jerry Bailey gave her a very good ride. The main target now is the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. We’ll see how she comes out of this race. If she is happy and sound, maybe we would run her here in the Beldame, but we could take her straight to the Breeders’ Cup. We know she is a good filly. This is a great win, a Group (sic) 1 for her.”

Society Selection made a powerful late run, and also figures to be a Beldame candidate.

“There was no pace in the race,” said her jockey, Javier Castellano. “Jerry Bailey stole the race. The 1 horse (Capeside Lady) was supposed to go to the lead, but she ducked in the gap. There wasn’t enough pace and I didn’t want to change my style because it was the first time I rode the filly. Everyone went outside, I came inside and she ran through. She was second-best today.

Halory Leigh, making only her second start since last November 25th, necked Bending Strings for third.

“She ran well,” said her trainer, Dale Romans. “We expected there to be a little more pace in the race. She finished up strong and we were real pleased with it. She should keep improving. We’re still working toward the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll see what’s next for her, there is either the Beldame here or the Spinster back home (Grade 1, $500,000, nine furlongs, Keeneland, Sunday, October 9th).”

9/11/05 - A COURSE RECORD FOR SHAKESPEARE IN BELMONT BC
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

William C. Schettine and Dell Ridge Farm’s Shakespeare remained undefeated Sunday afternoon and added a course record to his resume as well, as he carried Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey to a 3 ¾-length victory in 20th running of the Grade 2, $ Belmont Breeders’ Cup Handicap for three-year-olds and up at nine furlongs.

With the scratches of Greek Sun and Proud Man leaving only four horses to compete here, Shakespeare figured to have a huge class edge over his rivals. But after allowing Muqbil to set a pace of :23 4/5; :47 3/5; 1:10 2/5 and 1:33 3/5, Shakespeare used the lane as his personal stage, bringing Bailey home in 1:45. That broke the course record of 1:45 1/5 set by Golden Commander back on May 15 in the Kingston Handicap. On Saturday afternoon, a stakes record of 1:45 3/5 was set on the inner turf course by Luas Line in the Grade 1Garden City Breeders’ Cup for three-year-old fillies.

“I took a hold of him to see how much he would turn off, thinking of the future and a mile and a half,” Bailey said. “He turned off fine. He was certainly there for everything he needed through the stretch. I think he is adaptable to about anything. It depends if they want to run him, but he did relax today. The course is very, very firm, but don’t take too much away from this horse. He is a very good horse.”

Shakespeare, a 4-year-old son of Theatrical, returned $3.10 to win. He also has Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott considering his options for such Belmont Park races as the Grade 1, $1 million Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at a mile and a half here on Saturday, October 1st and the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, also at a mile and a half, here on Saturday, October 29th.

He has only had four career starts and seems to be getting better each time out.

“He seems to be a horse that would be perfect for a mile and a quarter,” Mott said. “I guess if we want to go a mile and a half, we just have to try it and see what happens. I don’t think we would want to cut him back to a mile. I suppose if he had already tried a mile and a half, we could be more confident, but at least he is not over-raced. I’ve been thinking about the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. We gave (Saturday’s) Man o’War some consideration, but I thought a mile and an eighth would be a better progression. He should have reached a better level of fitness, and now he should be ready to go a mile and a half. ”

BELMONT BREEDERS’ CUP QUOTES

Winning trainer Bill Mott of favored Shakespeare (No. 6): “He seems to be a horse that would be perfect for a mile and a quarter. I guess if we want to go a mile and a half, we just have to try it and see what happens. I don’t think we would want to cut him back to a mile. I suppose if he had already tried a mile and a half, we could be more confident, but at least he is not over-raced. I’ve been thinking about the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Grade 1, $1 million, three and up, 12 furlongs, turf, Saturday, October 1st). We gave (Saturday’s) Man o’War some consideration, but I thought a mile and an eighth would be a better progression. He should have reached a better level of fitness, and now he should be ready to go a mile and a half. ”

Winning jockey Jerry Bailey: “I took a hold of him to see how much he would turn off, thinking of the future and a mile and a half. He turned off fine. He was certainly there for everything he needed through the stretch. I think he is adaptable to about anything. It depends if they want to run him, but he did relax today. The course is very, very firm, but don’t take too much away from this horse. He is a very good horse.”

NOTE: The winning time of 1:45 (1:45.06) was a course record for the inner turf. The portable rail was out nine feet. The previous mark was 1:45 1/5 (1:45.35) set by Golden Commander on May 15, 2005 in the restricted Kingston Handicap.

8/7/05 - BAILEY RIDES ROMAN RULER TO VICTORY IN THE HASKELL
Roman Ruler answered a multitude of questions on Sunday as he powered past Sun King with a determined stretch run to earn a 1 1/4- length win in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) at Monmouth Park. The son of Fusaichi Pegasus showed no signs of the foot problems that plagued him in the past while giving trainer Bob Baffert his third win in the 11/8-mile race. Roman Ruler earned his second-straight graded stakes victory, taking command after rallying three wide in the far turn and winning in 1:49.88 on a fast track. Baffert mentioned the Breeders’ Cup on October 29 at Belmont Park as a definite possibility after watching Roman Ruler show superiority in a field of seven three-year-olds. After settling in a close-up fourth at the start, Roman Ruler drove by rivals while displaying the dominance that made him a multiple graded-stakes winner as a juvenile. Sun King and jockey Javier Castellano set the pace from the start and led Roman Ruler by a head entering the stretch. Park Avenue Ball finished two lengths behind Sun King in third after being boxed in by rivals in the far turn.

THE HASKELL & A TRAVEL STORY:

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1123480487156930.xml&coll'1
At 2:10 p.m. yesterday afternoon, jockey Jerry Bailey was having his picture taken in the winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York after guiding First Samurai to a six- length victory in the third race. Just four hours and five minutes later, he was posing in the winner's circle at Monmouth Park with Roman Ruler, the winner of the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap.

Bailey's 200-mile trek to the Jersey Shore was a bit more eventful than his nine-furlong tour of the
Monmouth strip in the Haskell. "It was something of an adventure," the Hall of Fame rider said. "I was supposed to fly into Monmouth County airport (Executive Airport in Wall), but when I got to the plane, they told me there had been an accident or something, and the airport was closed. I ended up flying into Teterboro, and they had a chopper waiting to take me to Monmouth. "It was a little quicker, to be honest."

There were no detours aboard Roman Ruler. Sent off as the even- money chalk, the dark-bay colt shadowed the front-running Sun King through moderate early fractions. He moved to challenge at the quarter pole, put the pacesetter away and edged away to a handy victory.

"(Trainer Bob Baffert) led me to believe that he might be a little keener than normal and, before I left the paddock, I was thinking about going to the lead," Bailey said. "But he rated very, very kind. He came out of the bridle (relaxed) right away, so I took advantage of it. I didn't want to get caught going head-and-head through any kind of fractions.

"I tucked in around the first turn and angled outside on the backstretch. It was pretty simple from there."

His trip in the six-furlong allowance test at Saratoga had not been quite so smooth. Also bet down to even money, First Samurai pressed Trippi Appeal through a quick opening half and took over at the top of the stretch. But the 2-year-old drifted toward the rail as he gained the lead, crossing the path of the pace-setter. Jockey John Velazquez had to steady Trippi Appeal and claimed foul after the race, but the stewards took a look at the tape and declared First Samurai the winner.

Could the son of Giant's Causeway be in the winner's circle at Monmouth after next year's running of the Haskell?

"He seems to be a pretty good horse," Bailey said. "I'm not ready to crown him a champion yet, but he was pretty impressive."

Roman Ruler, winner of the July 4 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont last time out, has a lot to accomplish before he can take the 3-year-old championship away from Afleet Alex, but Bailey believes the colt will enhance his chances at an Eclipse Award in the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

"I think my horse was better today than he was for the Dwyer," he said. "Having said that, I think he will be an even better horse for the Travers."

721/05 - BAILEY THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY Jockey of the Week®
North American leading jockeys by earnings(July 13 through July 19)

Jerry Bailey's approach of picking and choosing his spots in top stakes—and delivering—produced another strong week as the seven-time Eclipse Award winner finished atop the earnings list with $870,290 and tied for the lead in stakes wins with two from just nine mounts in the past seven days. The 47-year-old Dallas native guided Island Sand to victory in the $1,001,800 Delaware Handicap (G2) on Sunday at Delaware Park after annexing the $200,000 Virginia Oaks on Saturday in his first-ever trip to Colonial Downs. Bailey has won stakes at a dozen different tracks this season.

Bailey ranks third in earnings this year for races in North America with $8,354,648, just behind John Velazquez at $8,455,565 and leader Edgar Prado at $8,852,553. Bailey has reached his total in just 364 mounts, which is 223 fewer mounts than Velazquez and 469 fewer than Prado.

05/0/05 - Jerry and SUMMERLY run off with a wire to wore victory in the the KY OAKS (G1)
Jerry Bailey aboard the eventual winner crossed and cleared to the rail for the run up the backstretch. Still in front and ears pricked turning for home, Summerly responded when set down for the drive and held sway late. “We were on the lead and :47 and change for these kind of fillies is pretty comfortable,” said Bailey, piloting his third Oaks winner. “She broke so well and it didn’t appear that Sis City was too comfortable inside of me.”

A SERIOUS JERRY IN THE PADDOCK ON SUMMERLY BEFORE THE OAKS (G1)

A HAPPY JERRY EN ROUTE TO THE WINNERS CIRCLE IN THE KY OAKS :: Photo by JS EQUINE IMAGES

4/27/05 - Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who in November strongly considered retiring, is enthusiastic about his expected return to the Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard Florida Derby (G1) winner High Fly, fully realizing that he most likely will again consider retirement at the end of this racing season. Bailey, who won the Derby aboard Sea Hero in 1993 and Grindstone in ’96, missed last year’s Derby when Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Wimbledon was scratched one day before the race. Bailey said he missed competing in last year’s Derby and is glad to be back this year. “I was really, really close last November to retiring. I was so tired, that was a big part of it,” said Bailey, who said he changed his mind after he had some time to bounce back from the racing season. “I didn’t want to decide when I was that tired. That would be like going to the grocery store when you’re hungry. It’s not a good idea.”

4/20/05 - THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY Jockey of the Week™ ( Again)

Jerry Bailey’s four graded stakes victories during the past week put him at the top of the list of North American leading jockeys by stakes winners, and boosted him to second on the list of leading riders by earnings with $793,285. His most lucrative score of the week came Saturday at Keeneland Race Course in the $424,900 Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G2) aboard ClockStopper, who held off Gators N Bears for a three-quarter-length win. Bailey also rode Madcap Escapade to a win in the Vinery Madison Stakes (G3) on April 13 to ignite the big week. On Saturday,he guided last year’s Canadian Horse of the Year, Soaring Free, to a neck triumph in the Shakertown Stakes (G3). Bailey capped a remarkable run on Sunday aboard Intercontinental (GB) in a one-length win in the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G3). Through Tuesday, the seven-time Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey leads the nation in earnings this season with$3,920,361. A two-time winning rider in the Kentucky Derby (G1 )(Sea Hero in 1993 and Grindstone in ’96), Bailey will attempt to win his third edition of the classic aboard Florida Derby (G1) winner High Fly on May 7.

PIMLICO TO HONOR JERRY BAILEY ON MAY 14

BALTIMORE, 04-15-05---The Maryland Jockey Club today announced that Hall of Fame rider Jerry Bailey will be honored at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 14, the week in-between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes®, two-thirds of the famed VISA Triple Crown.

Bailey’s new autobiography, Against the Odds: Riding for My Life is scheduled to be released April 21, 2005 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Written with USA Today's Tom Pedulla, Against the Odds: Riding For My Life provides a candid and remarkable narrative of failure and redemption. It depicts not only the intense inside story of professional racing, but of Bailey’s greatest victory of all – overcoming the powerful addiction to alcohol that nearly destroyed his career and marriage.

He will be on hand to sign autographs and copies of the book from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Pimlico’s first-floor grandstand.

Bailey has won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s best jockey seven of the last ten years. He has won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes twice each, has won a record fourteen Breeders’ Cup races, and in 1995 was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. In 2003, he shattered the longstanding record of most stakes wins a season and his own North American record for most purse earnings in a year.

"I am very excited about coming to Pimlico for Jerry Bailey day on May 14 and to share with my fans my new book,” said Bailey. “I have always enjoyed riding at Old Hilltop, and have won many big races there. My victory in the 1991 Preakness Stakes aboard Hansel, was my first classic win and I will remember it forever. Many thanks to Magna Entertainment and Pimlico for honoring me in such a grand way".

In addition to winning the Preakness aboard Hansel, the 47-year old also won the middle jewel of the famed Triple Crown with Red Bullet in 2000. He also has three Pimlico Special victories on his resume, taking the historic Grade I race with Cigar (1995), Skip Away (1998) and Include (2001).

“Anyone who follows our sport knows that Jerry Bailey is one of the greatest riders of all-time,” said Lou Raffetto, Chief Operating Officer of the Maryland Jockey Club. “We are honored that he is going to come down on such a big day. We are looking forward to the release of the book and thrilled that our fans will be able to see Jerry Bailey a week after the Derby and a week before the Preakness. He’ll sign a few autographs and hopefully sell a few books.”

Bailey will be honored by Pimlico on Friday, May 13 at an invitation only reception at the Rusty Scupper, a restaurant located along Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor with the best view of the city skyline.

Bailey, the regular rider on High Fly, one of the favorites for next month’s Kentucky Derby, will return to Baltimore for press availability from Wednesday, May 18 through Friday morning, May 20. He will ride at Pimlico May 20 and 21.

4/13/05 - Jerry Bailey Notches 50th Keeneland Stakes Win

Jerry Bailey earned his 50th career Keeneland stakes win on Wednesday, guiding Madcap Escapade to a 4 3/4-length victory in the featured $200,000 Vinery Madison (G3) for older fillies and mares.

Madcap Escapade, a 4-year-old daughter of Hennessey, finished the seven furlongs in a record time of 1:23.33 to pay $2.80, $2.60 and $2.20.

The Vinery Madison is the sixth win in seven career starts for Madcap Escapade, who as earned $124,000 for owner Bruce Lunsford and trainer Frank Brothers.

My Trusty Cat finished second, a head in front of Molto Vita. My Trusty Cat returned $4.80 and $3.60 and Molto Vita paid $4 to show.

Madcap Escapade added the Vinery Madison to a previous victory at Keeneland in the Ashland Stakes a year ago. She's expected to make her next start in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day.

“I always maintained she has a high cruising speed, but I think that’s an understatement. She has brilliant speed.”

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey
following Madcap Escapade’s 4 3/4-length victory
in the $200,000 Vinery Madison Stakes
(G3) on Wednesday at Keeneland Race Course

4/6/05 - THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY Jockey of the Week™

Jerry Bailey won the $1-million Florida Derby(G1) for the second time in three years on Saturday when he guided High Fly to a 11/2-length winat Gulfstream Park. With Saturday’s victory, Bailey secured his first win in a $1-million race since the 2004 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) aboard Pleasantly Perfect and his first Grade 1 triumph since the ’04 Hollywood Derby aboardGood Reward.

The 47-year-old native of Dallas is on course to return to theKentucky Derby (G1) after missing the race last year for the first time since 1990. He won the Derby in 1993 with Sea Hero and in ’96 with Grindstone. He was scheduled to ride Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Wimbledon in last year’s edition, but the son of Wild Rush was scratched the day before the race with an injury.

4/3/05 - Bailey's ride opens one more chapter

By Ed Gray
Special correspondent
Posted April 3 2005

HALLANDALE BEACH · Jerry Bailey's biography, Against the Odds: Riding for My Life, will be published this month, but the book is hardly closed on the Hall of Fame jockey's career.

The 47-year-old veteran added another chapter to his growing lore Saturday when he rode High Fly to a 11/2-length victory in the $1 million Florida Derby.

After his third triumph in Gulfstream Park's signature stakes, Bailey entertained the prospect of riding his third Kentucky Derby winner next month aboard High Fly.

Having won the Run for the Roses aboard Sea Hero in 1993 and Grindstone in 1996, Bailey has a new incentive to add another Derby success to his resumé.

"If you've ever won it, you know how if feels and you can't wait to get back. The two times I've won it, [son] Justin wasn't old enough to be there," he said. "Lately he's old enough to appreciate this stuff, and it'd be really fun to see him in the winner's circle at the Derby."

The 12-year-old and Bailey's wife, Suzee, joined him in the winner's circle Saturday, and he wouldn't be surprised if another family reunion is held at Churchill Downs on May 7.

"Although he doesn't come from out of it and draw away like you'd like to think of Derby horses, he's got a lot of pluses. He gets you out of trouble and he puts you where you need to be and he has a lot of 1s next to his name. The only time this horse got beat, he got a wide trip, and it probably wasn't his fault," said Bailey, whose biography will chronicle his climb to the top of the thoroughbred racing world after dealing with alcoholism.

Although High Fly may not be considered ideally bred to win at the classic distance of 11/4 miles, the son of Atticus has encouraged his jockey during his victories at 11/8 miles in the Fountain of Youth on March 5 and the Florida Derby.

"The other day, I throttled him down a little bit the last 100 yards to leave a little something in the tank, knowing this race was coming up," Bailey said. "I know he's got five weeks for the Derby, so I let him run along the last 100 yards to the wire, and he finished all the way to the wire."

Bailey, whose prior Florida Derby victory came aboard Technology (1992) and Empire Maker (2003), hasn't made a commitment to ride High Fly in the Kentucky Derby yet, but he said he considers him his No. 1 prospect.

4/2/05 - CITGO Racing to the Kentucky Derby preview: Florida Derby G1.
Jerry Bailey will not only ride favorite High Fly, but will be featured on the ABC live coverage of the race on April 2 from 5-6 p.m. eastern.

Saturday's telecast includes features a poignant interview with Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who takes an emotional look at his own career and what he's overcome.

Nick Zito, saddles likely favorite High Fly, hero of the Fountain of Youth last month, ridden by Jerry Bailey. High Fly has won four of five starts and will be making his fourth start of the Gulfstream meeting.

3/17/05 -THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAYJockey of the Week™

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey showed that he is not slowing down even as he contemplates retirement, riding four winners from nine starters, including three stakes winners, during the past week, including Badge of Silver in the $600,000 New Orleans Handicap (G2).

Bailey, 47, currently ranks fifth among North American jockeys with $2,121,060 in earnings this season, a category he led in 2003 when he earned $23,354,960 and an unprecedented fourth straight and seventh overall Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey. In addition to Badge of Silver, Bailey piloted Summerly to win the $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) on Saturday and Sand Springs to win the $100,000 Honey Fox Handicap (G3) on Sunday.

Bailey began his riding career in November 1974 at Sunland Park, where he first became interested in Thoroughbred racing as a child after his father, James Bailey, claimed some horses.

At the Ninth Annual Gary Player Invitational

Gary Player took it up a notch this year as promised at the ninth annual Gary Player Invitational held in early March at the Floridian Golf & Yacht Club in Palm Beach, Fla., Wayne and Marti Huizenga’s private golf course. This ultra-private club, built by the Huizengas to entertain friends, is estimated to have cost over $75 million.

The event raises money every year to support underprivileged children’s education in South Africa, the U.S. and around the world. The Gary Player Invitational brings together celebrities and business people for two days of golf. It is one of four events Player hosts to raise money for the Gary Player Foundation and Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Huizenga was not the only host. The tee-off party the evening before the tournament was held at Trump International Golf Club. In attendance were Donald and Malania Trump, and many of the celebrities. Player was the undisputed picture of style and grace. The attendees enjoyed delicious Boschendal South African wine. The Boschendal estate is known as the crown jewel of South African wineries. Besides the winery, it’s home to Player’s “gentlemen’s wine estate.”

The A-list celebrities and sports professionals who participated in the tournament included Bob Griese, George Brett, Alan Thicke, Paul O’ Neil, Tico Torres, Ahmad Rashad, Merril Hoge, Rush Limbaugh, Andy Pilgrim, Peter Kessler, Rod Gilbert, Jerry Bailey, Lee Hendrix, Beverly Johnson, Wade Boggs, Derrick Brooks, Jim Brown, Bryant Gumbel, Ivan Lendl, Jason Taylor and Edwin McCain.

Jerry Bailey
Handicap: 11
Favorite Course: Augusta National
Dream Foursome: Mickelson, Tiger, Player

In a game that does not lend itself to small men, Gary Player has always been the idol of jockey, Jerry Bailey. The correlation between golf and horse-racing is soft hands and patience. “That’s how we communicate with the horses,” said Bailey, “through our hands. In golf, if you squeeze the club too tight it’s no good. You have to have soft hands for both.

“Also patience,” he continued. “If you try and do too much the golf course beats you. It is the same with horses” if you try and control them – they weigh 1,200 pounds and I weigh only 100 – they are going to win> It is a lot of patience.”

Greatest Golf Experience: Birdie at Augusta. Bailey’s motto is: “If you do the right thing by people and you are a fair person, it all comes back to you.”

3/5/05 - Jerry guides High Fly to score in the Fountain of Youth (G2) - one of the major stepping stones to the Kentucky Derby.

After a third-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on February 5, High Fly returned to his top form to score a three-quarter-length victory in the $300,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Atticus colt ran off the pace early and finished well completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.70 over a fast track.

High Fly had won two races at Calder Race Course in late 2004 and his stock went up with his victory in the $125,000 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream on January 8, when he completed Gulfstream’s one-turn mile in 1:35.88 for trainer Bill White. In his first try at two turns, he finished third in the Holy Bull, after which owner-breeder Live Oak Plantation transferred him to the care of trainer Nick Zito. Zito said he most likely will point Kentucky-bred High Fly to the Florida Derby (G1) on April 2 at Gulfstream.

Jerry Bailey, Equisponse, Inc. Select GolfPodium™ for Exclusive Speaker Representation

Armonk, NY – February 24, 2005 – Equisponse, Inc., the sports marketing firm that represents Hall of Fame Jockey and avid golfer Jerry Bailey has formed an alliance with GolfPodium™ for exclusive representation of Bailey’s speaking engagements, corporate events and personal appearance opportunities.

“We are extremely excited about this new relationship,” said Kelly Wietsma, President and CEO of Equisponse, Inc., the leading sports marketing and management company representing several marquee athletes in Thoroughbred Racing and Grand Prix Show Jumping. “As the legendary Jockey in Thoroughbred Racing, Jerry is constantly inundated with speaking engagement and corporate appearance opportunities. Eddie Smith is an expert in this arena and is well respected for his reputation and outstanding service. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him on numerous occasions and he’s a welcome addition to our team.”

Bailey, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1995, is considered one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Bailey, 47, has won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s best jockey seven of the last nine years, and has twice won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. He has also won a record 14 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships races.

“Jerry Bailey is the Jack Nicklaus of his sport,” said Eddie Smith, founder and CEO of GolfPodium™. “His accomplishments are unparalleled; his motivational life story combined with his personality and articulate delivery are the elements that make Jerry an entertaining and inspirational speaker.”

Bailey’s new autobiography, Against the Odds: Riding for My Life is scheduled to be released April 21, 2005 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Against the Odds: Riding For My Life provides a candid and remarkable narrative of failure and redemption, it depicts not only the intense inside story of professional racing, but of Bailey’s greatest victory of all – overcoming the powerful addiction to alcohol that nearly destroyed his career and marriage.

GolfPodium™, based in Jupiter, FL is the first and only golf-related speakers bureau and leading resource for golf-related and sports celebrity talent. With a collection of over 400 of the industry’s top golf personalities and access to over 5,000 recognized speakers, GolfPodium™ specializes in providing corporations and organizations with the “right personality” for speaking engagements, corporate appearances, endorsements, infomercials and product promotions. Additionally, GolfPodium’s event and hospitality division provides customized packages to the world’s premier sport & entertainment events, including the U.S. Open, The Masters, Kentucky Derby and Super Bowl.

Equisponse, Inc.
Contact: info"jerrybailey.com

2/1/05 - Hall of Fame Jockey Jerry Bailey was interviewed at Super Bowl XXXIX’s Radio Row Wednesday, February 1,

Hall of Fame Jockey Jerry Bailey, the holder of multiple stakes and earnings records, will accompany representatives from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) to Super Bowl XXXIX’s Radio Row to discuss the 2005 Triple Crown and the release of his new book AGAINST THE ODDS: RIDING FOR MY LIFE.

AGAINST THE ODDS: RIDING FOR MY LIFE is the fiercely candid autobiography of arguably the world’s greatest jockey. A remarkable narrative of failure and redemption, it depicts not only the intense inside story of professional racing, but of Bailey’s greatest victory of all – against himself. AGAINST THE ODDS: RIDING FOR MY LIFEis scheduled to be released April 21, 2005 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Bailey, who entered the Hall of Fame in 1995, is considered one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Bailey, 47, has won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s best jockey seven of the last nine years, and has twice won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. He has also won a record 14 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships races.

Equisponse, Inc.
Contact: info"jerrybailey.com