“Jockeys,” a TV series billed as a ‘docu-soap,’ will premiere on the Animal Planet channel Feb. 6 with a pair of 30-minute episodes. The program is a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of seven jockeys at work and home. Featured are riders Aaron Gryder, Jon Court, Joe Talamo, Alex Solis, Mike Smith, Chantal Sutherland and Kayla Stra.
The episodes follow the riders as they compete at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting this past fall. Previews show a well-produced effort with good production values, with race footage intermingled with scenes from the jockeys’ room as well as their home lives. They include interviews with family members.
The first show, which features a rivalry between Talamo and Gryder, feels a bit trumped up for drama sake, but remains compelling nonetheless. A subsequent episode shows the relationship between Smith and Sutherland as they try to make their romantic life mesh with the pressures of their jobs.
“Jockeys” will air two installments each Friday beginning at 9 p.m. eastern and pacific time. Twelve episodes have been shot. Executive producers include Jason Carey for Animal Planet and Liz Bronstein, Tina Gazzerro, and Gary Auerbach for Go Go Luckey, the production house responsible for the TV show "Laguna Beach."