|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Posted by: Administrator ::: on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 - 12:00 AM ::: 217 Reads
|
 |
By CHRIS FITZ GERALD
The Pink Sheet
SARATOGA SPRINGS - When asked when he began riding at the venerable Spa, Jean-Luc Samyn had to pause for a moment.
At the age of 52, Samyn is senior statesman of active jockeys at Saratoga Race Course, having ridden here over the course of four decades.
"I’m very lucky, at my age, to be able to do what I’m doing," said Samyn, a native of Bailleul, France, just outside of Paris. "It’s my 32nd year at Saratoga, but I started (riding) very young."
Samyn arrived on the Saratoga scene in 1977, when future Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero was early in his career and would later be honored as the King of Saratoga.
"There was great competition and there still is - it’s very tough," Samyn said of the strength of the Spa’s jockey colony through the decades. "It’s been like that for years and it will continue like that for years."
Cordero would lead the way by winning 13 Saratoga rider championships, including 11 consecutive crowns (1976-1986).
"He was a tough rider, he was tough and he was sharp," Samyn said. "Every year is a different scenario, but every year we have the best of racing - the best horses, the best trainers, the best owners and of course, the best jockeys. I love the competition."
In those years, the Spa meet was only four weeks in length, but just as packed with excitement.
"Those were some times, they were exciting," said Samyn, who was given a chance to ride by legendary Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkins. "But the game is still exciting, and I’m happy to still be a part of it."
"The experience is great, but the greatest part of racing is winning," Samyn added, "which we’d like to do more often. But when it happens, it makes you forget about the low times, and there’s plenty of those, but they’re part of the game."
While each would like their respective business to pick up and ride winners, they’re happy with the chance to ride at Saratoga again.
"We always look forward to Saratoga," Samyn said. "It’s always the best racing the East Coast and the world has to offer. It is such a great town - it has great restaurants and it’s a good family time as well.
"Everything is just perfect here."
A constant on the turf racing scene, which is commonplace in his native France, Samyn has won his share of stakes races on the grass.
"I did not want to follow in my father’s footsteps and work indoors as a pastry chef," said Samyn, who won his first race in 1975 in France. "I wanted to work outdoors with animals."
These turf triumphs at Saratoga have included the Diana, Sword Dancer, Ballerina, Bernard Baruch, Saratoga Breeders’ Cup and Saranac - all on two occasions.
"Riding John’s Call in 2000 was great and there were many other ones," said Samyn, who rode John’s Call to victory in the 2000 Sword Dancer. "I also won the Ballerina in 2001 for Mr. Jerkens on a filly named Shine Again. It was funny because she was the longest shot on the board and we won the same race in 2002 with the same filly. That was special."
Samyn would have ridden Shine Again in the Ballerina a third straight year, but the jockey suffered a broken leg just days before the race. After winning the Sanford aboard Kelly Kip in 1996, Samyn and Kelly Kip teamed up to win the six-furlong Bold Ruler at Aqueduct two years later in a track-record time of 1:07 3/5.
"Those were exciting times. I’m lucky to have ridden some very good horses through the years," Samyn said.
Samyn went on to win second Sword Dancer Invitational aboard Whitmore’s Conn in 2003. Although business has been slow for Samyn through this opening week at Saratoga, with only a handful of starts, the seasoned rider again strives to keep a positive attitude while taking in another summer at the Spa.
"I keep myself very active," Samyn said. "The competition keeps you sharp and everyone in top shape ... We’ve had some good times and we’re not done yet."
|
|
|
|
|
