Hollywood Park Announces Laffit Pincay Jr. Award

Hollywood Park, site of Laffit Pincay Jr.'s record victory No. 8,834, has named an award in honor of the Hall of Fame jockey, who retired with a record 9,530 victories in 2003.

Pincay, who surpassed Bill Shoemaker when he rode Irish Nip to victory here in the sixth race on Dec. 10, 1999, will present the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award each year on Hollywood Gold Cup Day.

The award will be presented annually to a person who has served the sport with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction. The first winner will be announced in the winner's circle prior to the 65th running of the Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday, July 10.

"I'm very humbled that Hollywood Park is remembering me in this way," Pincay said. "Combining it with the Gold Cup makes it very special for me.

Pincay rode a record nine Hollywood Gold Cup winners, including Aptitude in 2001 and Sky Jack in 2002 - his final mounts in the 1 1/4-mile classic. He surpassed Shoemaker as the leading Gold Cup jockey when Sky Jack prevailed by a nose over Momentum in a dynamic stretch duel. The triumph came 32 years after his first Gold Cup win aboard Pleasure Seeker in 1970.

"Laffit has not only played a monumental role in shaping Hollywood Park history, he has been a tremendous role model for everybody involved in the sport," Hollywood Park president Rick Baedeker said. "We're awed by his accomplishments and very proud to honor him."