HORSE RACING: BAILEY SAYS HE'S RETIRING.Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of - Jerry Bailey was thinking retirement for several years and finally, a few weeks into this season, he knew it was time for his illustrious Hall of Fame career to come to an end. ``I still enjoy competing in the biggest races on the best horses on the biggest days,'' said the two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey, whose seven Eclipse Awards set a thoroughbred-racing record and whose $295.8 million in purses are second all-time to Pat Day's total. ``But to get to those days, there are a lot of routine days and I just didn't feel the passion I should have felt.'' With that, Bailey said Wednesday he'll retire after riding at Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans January through March, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America. in Florida on Jan. 28. The 48- year-old Bailey will then begin his next career as a racing analyst for ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network and ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. Sports, where he will be part of about 20 telecasts, including the Belmont Stakes Belmont Stakes Oldest of the three U.S. horse races that constitute the Triple Crown. The Belmont originated in 1867 and is named after August Belmont (see Belmont family). The stakes is held in early June at Belmont Park, near Garden City, Long Island; the course is 1.5 mi (2,400 m). and the Breeders' Cup The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982 by a consortium of North American racing organizations, led by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. . Bailey cited other reasons for his decision, ``but the one that matters the most is I just really feel it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a - time to spend more time with my wife, Suzee, and my son, Justin.'' And after a 31-year career, ``I also want to walk away in one piece.'' Bailey was scheduled to ride three or four horses on the Sunshine Millions card at Gulfstream. A large group of family or friends will be in attendance for Bailey's farewell ride, which is expected to be aboard Silver Tree, trained by Bill Mott, who put Bailey aboard Cigar for the final 15 wins in a glorious record-tying, 16-race winning streak in 1995-96. Bailey has been racing's top rider for nearly 15 years, usually ending up on many of the best horses in training. Among his greatest accomplishment was the campaign aboard Cigar, a two-time Horse of the Year who gave him perhaps his greatest win - the 1996 Dubai World Cup The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The race is operated through the Emirates Horse Racing Authority (EHRA) whose Chairman is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, . Winning the Kentucky Derby ``is probably the pinnacle of any jockey's aspirations, but if I had to pinpoint a race for me it would be the Dubai World Cup with Cigar,'' he said. ``Not only was it a victory for me, but I was representing the United States. It was as close to being an Olympian as I could probably ever be.'' Bailey often said he didn't really love horses until he climbed aboard Cigar, and his voice seemed to quiver when he spoke of it. ``He was the most genuine, charismatic horse I think I've ever been on in my life,'' he said. Bailey rode Kentucky Derby winners Sea Hero (1993) and Grindstone grindstone or grind common metaphor for industriousness. [Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : Industriousness (1996). Based on the East Coast for most of his career, he had his greatest West Coast moments in the Hollywood Gold Cup The Hollywood Gold Cup is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions. , winning the Hollywood Park race with Sultry Song, Cigar, Skip Away and Real Quiet. He was aboard when Cigar's bid for a record 17th consecutive victory ended in defeat in the 1996 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Bailey will become the latest Hall of Fame jockey to hang up his tack. Pat Day retired in August and Gary Stevens retired a second time in November. Known as a fierce competitor and for being well prepared for every race, Bailey will depart with 5,890 wins through Tuesday. ``What's great about Bailey is he rode like he was still 25,'' trainer Bobby Frankel said. ``He wasn't scared. I was impressed the way he'd go through holes with no fear. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: JERRY BAILEY Hall of Fame jockey says he'll retire after riding at Gulfstream Park. |
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