PINCAY RIDES INTO RETIREMENT INJURY FORCES HALL OF FAMER OUT OF SADDLE.Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff WriterLOUISVILLE, Ky. - Laffit Pincay can't keep riding winners forever, after all. In an announcement the horse-racing world had dreaded since Pincay broke a bone in his neck in a March 1 accident at Santa Anita Santa Anita may refer to:
Pincay won 9,530 races during a nearly 39-year career that began in his native Panama. He had set his sights on 10,000. ``Of course I'm sad,'' Pincay, 56, said from his Arcadia home. ``I really wanted to go out in a different way. But I'm very fortunate that I'm in one piece. It could have been a lot worse.'' Pincay said he was left with no choice after UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX spinal specialist Dr. Rick Delamarter removed the jockey's immobilizing im·mo·bi·lize tr.v. im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing, im·mo·bi·liz·es 1. To render immobile. 2. To fix the position of (a joint or fractured limb), as with a splint or cast. 3. ``halo'' Monday, examined X-rays and urged him ``point-blank'' to retire. The bone in Pincay's neck was fractured in three places when he and his horse fell near the top of the stretch on the Santa Anita turf course after clipping the heels of a Tony Farina-ridden horse that veered suddenly. ``(The doctor) said, `If you ride again and you fall, this bone will shatter,' '' said Pincay's wife, Jeanine. Pincay's family had been urging retirement since the fractures were discovered at Arcadia Methodist Hospital Methodist Hospital is the name of numerous medical institutions.
``But it's in my blood,'' Pincay said. ``It's hard for me to quit.'' Pincay said he must wear a brace for another six weeks while his neck continues to heal. His attorney, Neil Papiano Neil Papiano was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1934. He played football and baseball at Stanford University , where he received his B.A. in 1956 and his M.A. in 1957. He received his LL.B. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1961, and affiliated with Phi Delta Phi. of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , said Tuesday that Pincay might have a legal case against Santa Anita if an investigation determines the injury worsened because the track first-aid office sent the jockey home instead of to a hospital after the accident. ``We're considering all of the options,'' Papiano said. Santa Anita's attorney could not be reached for comment. Pincay declined comment. Ironically, a sculpted sculpt v. sculpt·ed, sculpt·ing, sculpts v.tr. 1. To sculpture (an object). 2. To shape, mold, or fashion especially with artistry or precision: bust of Pincay stands alongside those of Bill Shoemaker William Lee Shoemaker (August 19, 1931 – October 12, 2003) was an American jockey. Referred to as "Bill", "Willie," and "The Shoe", William Lee Shoemaker was born in the town of Fabens, Texas. At 2. and Johnny Longden in the Santa Anita paddock garden. Santa Anita general manager Chris McCarron, the former riding rival who retired last summer, stated mixed emotions after a reporter told him of Pincay's retirement. ``I'm sorry because the sport is losing one of its greatest icons of all time,'' McCarron said. ``Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar are going to suffer a great blow with loss of Laffit. (But) I'm happy because now he can go on and do other things and not cause his wife and his family to worry about him every single day.'' McCarron expressed awe at Pincay's perseverance in fighting weight battles and injuries. ``Laffit is incomparable in many ways, the most prominent of which is his dedication,'' McCarron said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. another rider who never took off because of just not wanting to go to work. Laffit rode hurt, he rode sick, he rode grouchy grouch·y adj. grouch·i·er, grouch·i·est Tending to complain or grumble; peevish or grumpy. grouch  i·ly adv. . Laffit always
showed up.''
Pincay, who broke Shoemaker's wins record of 8,833 on Dec. 10, 1999, at Hollywood Park, had been the leading rider at Southern California race meets 41 times and was second in this year's Santa Anita standings before he was injured. He was voted the nation's outstanding jockey of the year six times. He won the 1984 Kentucky Derby with Swale swale n. 1. A low tract of land, especially when moist or marshy. 2. A long, narrow, usually shallow trough between ridges on a beach, running parallel to the coastline. 3. . He had hoped to ride Indian Express in Saturday's Kentucky Derby here. ``Even though I wish I would have finished the way I wanted to, I think I did well,'' Pincay said. ``I'm very proud.'' WHAT A RIDE Laffit Pincay, 56, announced his retirement after breaking his neck in a spill March 1. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Victories: 9,530, the most in history. Key moments: 1984 Kentucky Derby victory; three Belmont Stakes victories; five Eclipse Awards; mounts on great horses such as Affirmed and John Henry. Hall of Fame: Elected in 1975. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay retired Tuesday, ending an almost-39-year career with a record 9,530 victories. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press Box: WHAT A RIDE (see text) |
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