Breeders’ Cup could be Bailey’s last hurrah

The Jerry Bailey story is nearing an end. The Hall of Fame jockey, who has been contemplating retirement for some time, says he may call it a career shortly after the Breeders’ Cup. But there might be quite a nal chapter.

Bailey has one of

the strongest Breeders’ Cup hands ever

dea lt to a j ockey. He

will ride in seven of Saturday’s eight championship races and four of his mounts could be favored. The 48- year-old jockey stands a chance of breaking a record ( two wins) he shares with 13 others for most Breeders’ Cup victories in a single day by a rider. Bailey holds the record for most career Breeders’ Cup wins with 14.

His best mount might be Saint Liam in the $4 million Classic. Bailey picked up the assignment on him for the Sept. 10 Woodward and didn’t have to do much more than hold on as he dominated four rivals, winning by two lengths even though Bailey had him eased to a virtual walk well before the nish line.

“ I haven’t been this high on a Classic mount since ( 1995 Classic winner) Cigar,” said Bailey, who has won the Classic four times. “ Even though I watched two impressive races when Borrego ( the Jockey Club Gold Cup) and Rock Hard Ten ( the Goodwood) both won very easily, I think that if everybody brings their ‘ A’ game they cannot beat Saint Liam.”

His most exciting mount may be First Samurai, the undefeated 2year-old coltwho will be favored in the Juvenile. He’s not just talented

Horse racing

and fast. By 2000 Classic runner- up Giant’s Causeway, his pedigree suggests he should have the sort of stamina that is required to win classic races. Should he win Saturday, he will be the solid early favorite for next year’s mile- and- aquarter Kentucky Derby.

“ The last time I remember being this excited about a 2- year-old was when I rode was Empire Maker,” Bailey said of the 2003 Belmont Stakes winner. “ That’s because of his pedigree. He had talent and, because of his pedigree, you knew that when it came time to go a mile and a quarter there weren’t going to be any questions. First Samurai falls into the same category.”

In the Filly & Mare Turf, he will be aboard likely favorite Ouija Board, who will be attempting to become the seventh horse to win back- toback Breeders’ Cup races. She will be favored. In the Turf, he has the assignment on Shakespeare, an undefeated, lightly raced horse who will be among the favorites.

Bailey’s other mounts are Original Spin in the Juvenile Fillies, Sand Springs in the Mile and Sweet Symphony in the Distaff. He was scheduled to ride Roman Ruler in the Sprint, but 3- year-old was withdrawn because of a sore right front foot.

Bailey enjoyed only moderate success until the early 19902 when his career exploded. The untold story was that a drinking problem was keeping him from performing at his best, something he reveals in detail in his recently released autobiography, Against the Odds – Riding For My Life, which was co- authored by USA TODAY staff writer Tom Pedulla. With sobriety, he became a more grounded person who started to take more stock of his health and his family. When he mulls retirement, those are two issues foremost in his mind.

“ This is a little different situation than athletes in other sports,” Bailey said. “ Roger Clemens has every reason to believe he will walk home at the end of every game. I don’t have that same chance of walking away from the racetrack every day. You have to factor in the possibility of the horri c happening. I have to weigh that vs. my desire to ride and compete. I still love to compete, but I have to factor in the risk and injury factor. I also have to factor in that I have a son ( Justin) who is rapidly running through his time with me.”

Between Thanksgiving and opening day at Gulfstream Park, Bailey usually takes a ve- week break from riding. He will do so again this year and, at that time, gure out his future.

“ It will be a topic of discussion with myself, my wife and my son,” Bailey said. “We all pretty well knowwhat the options are. Itwon’t be like I will decide to sit down on Dec. 15 and make a decision. It will be a culmination of a lot of things, knowing that I have to make a commitment to people around me by the rst of the year.” uBreeders’