|
|
Retired Riders' Tour to make debut at Keeneland The Retired Riders' Tour will make its debut at the upcoming Keeneland meet with a specially designated race for retired jockeys, and the new organization plans to make stops at major tracks like Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Saratoga the rest of the year. Chris McCarron, Angel Cordero Jr., Pat Day, Shane Sellers, Gary Stevens and Jorge Velasquez are among the notables who will compete in the new tour, and distinguished European retirees Pat Eddery and Freddie Head will participate as well. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has signed on as a sponsor. "The AARP is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age, and the Retired Riders' Tour is a positive example of our mission," AARP's Marc Adelson said. "These jockeys may be getting up there in age, but they can still compete." Racing officials were concerned about an image problem (tying a retirees' tour to the aging demographics in the grandstands across the nation), but the National Racing Authority of America (NRAA) is optimistic that the new tour will be a smashing success. "This is an opportunity to watch legends like Angel Cordero and Pat Day compete once again," NRAA's Stu Stutzman noted. "They may not have the athletic skills of their heyday, but they'll get their juices flowing and the races should be highly competitive. The money's good, it benefits a good cause and it should generate plenty of enthusiasm at each stop." A portion of the proceeds will go to charity, and the Retired Riders' Tour will offer $50,000 in purses to the jockeys at each track. The designated races will all be around one turn, with distances varying from seven furlongs to a mile at the given tracks, and jockeys will earn points for top three finishes (5 for first, 3 for second and 1 for third). A $75,000 grand prize will go to the year-end points leader. "We're optimistic that the Retired Riders' Tour will catch on and continue to grow each year," Tour President Abe Wornman said. "The horses are still the most important element, but we hope to attract well-matched fields that will showcase the riding skills of these retirees. The competition should be exciting." Keeneland will announce on April 1 the date of the first event.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
