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Friday, June 27, 1997

All-Star cast of jockeys gather for Lone Star race

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (AP) - Seven Hall of Fame jockeys lead a field featuring many of the nation's best riders in a unique four-race competition Friday night at the new Lone Star Park.

The inaugural $100,000 National All-Star Jockey Championship will feature 12 riders, including Jerry Bailey, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and Jorge Velasquez.

Combined, those seven riders have won 34 Triple Crown races, including 12 Kentucky Derbies. Yet, they've rarely all squared off against each other at once.

"This is the first time in my 24 years of riding that I've seen all the active Hall of Fame riders competing in the same race on the same day," said Bailey, winner of two Kentucky Derbies. "This is a monumental accomplishment."

Riding assignments will be drawn at random with jockeys receiving points for their finishes.

Each field will be handicapped by Lone Star Park officials. The top three horses in each of the four races will be assigned to Group A, the next three will be assigned to Group B, the next three will be assigned to Group C and the final three will be assigned to Group D. Each jockey will ride one horse from each category.

Each race features a minimum purse of $20,000. The jockey with the most points wins a $25,000 first-place prize. Second-place pays $15,000 and third place $10,000. The last-place jockey gets at least $5,000.

"We're all excited about this event," Pincay said. "You're talking about a competition of some of the best riders of the past and the present. It's definitely something different."

Other invited jockeys include Mike Smith, Kent Desormeaux, Shane Sellers, Ronald Ardoin, and Marlon St. Julien.

The competition is being held on Friday to accommodate the riders who have big weekend races.

"I've ridden with all of those riders for over 20 years but the feeling of being a part of this with them is overwhelming," Ardoin said. "This is the first time anybody has ever put anything this big together."

Eddie Arcaro, who won 17 Triple Crown races in his career, will be honored during the festivities.

Arcaro played a significant role in the formation of the championship as he was on a panel of industry experts who selected the riders. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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