Fifteen of the greatest riders in the history of Thoroughbred racing will gather at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 9 for the first-ever "Jockey Legends Day" to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
"Jockey Legends Day" brings together a group that includes 10 Hall of Fame members and the winners of two Triple Crowns, 28 Saratoga meet titles, and 72,485 career victories. They have combined for more than $1.86 billion in lifetime purses, along with 13 Eclipse Awards and 35 individual Triple Crown races.
Saratoga favorites Angel Cordero Jr., Ramon Dominguez and New York Racing Association racing analyst Richard Migliore are among the former jockeys who will sign autographs Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. EDT outside the jockeys silks room for a $10 donation to the PDJF.
Also scheduled to appear are Ron Turcotte and Jean Cruguet, respective riders of Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Seattle Slew; Laffit Pincay Jr., second all-time leader in races won with 9,530; Eddie Maple, Chris McCarron, Randy Romero, Jean-Luc Samyn, Nick Santagata, Jose Santos, Manny Ycaza, Jacinto Vasquez, and Jorge Velasquez.
All will be recognized in a special red-carpet ceremony on the track between the fifth and sixth races.
The event is being held the day after the induction of horses Ashado, Curlin, and Clifford; trainer Gary Jones; jockeys Alex Solis and Lloyd Hughes; and sportsmen Edward R. Bradley and Edward P. Taylor to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame across Union Avenue from Saratoga.
Angel Cordero, Jr.
Dave Young