Best and Worst of 2007: Jockey Edition

 

This is the first in a look back at the best and worst stories of 2007, which will continue for the next few days related to jockeys, trainers and owners.

In both the good and the bad we saw some similarities from the jockeys -- from two Louisiana-natives with their first Triple Crown race wins, to a pair of jocks who again struggled this year with drug and alcohol problems problems despite several chances to straighten up.

Best Jockey Story
Calvin Borel: Getting his first Kentucky Derby win aboard Street Sense started a hell of a year for Borel. His Derby win earned him an invitation to The White House where he met Queen Elizabeth. Known for his solid work ethic, Borel returned with his best after his Derby win and became the sixth jockey since 1875 to win six races on a single card at Churchill Downs.

The Louisiana-native usually sticks to the Kentucky racing circuit, however instead of going to Ellis Park this year, he went to the Saratoga meet for the first time this summer and finished 5th in jockey earnings ($1,994,334) thanks to several major graded stakes wins. In addition to winning both the Jim Dandy (GII) and Travers (GI) aboard Street Sense, he also won the Sword Dander Invitational (GI) with Grand Couturier and Alabama Stakes (GI) with Lady Joanne.

Second Choice: Robbie Albarado, 35, also won his first Triple Crown race with his Preakness win aboard likely Horse of the Year Curlin. Also a Louisiana-native, he went on to guide the Preakness champ to wins in both the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) and Breeders' Cup Classic (GI). Through the end of the year he was ranked second behind Garrett Gomez nationally in earnings with $19,399,249.

Worst Jockey Story
Patrick Valenzela: Racing may not have Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan, but we do have P-Val. Valenzela's Dec. 20th drunk driving arrest resulted in the California Horse Racing Board revoking his conditional license last week. Valenzuela, 45, has ridden under a conditional license in the last few years, which required that he be subjected to random drug testing and not consume or be under the influence of alcohol. He was also suspended over the summer after he failed to comply with the conditions of his drug testing because according to the CHRB he had "completely shaven his head, chest, armpits, and pubic hair, which are the only areas of his body that could provide a sufficient quantity of hair follicles for testing." The latest arrest is just one more incident in the jockey's long (and failing) struggle with substance abuse. This is probably the sad racing ending for Valenzuela, who won the 1989 Kentucky Derby on Sunday Silence and has seven wins in Breeders' Cup races -- I really hope he's able to get his life back on track.

Dishonorable Mention: Greta Kuntzweiler, 31, pled guilty to a 10-year prison sentence for possessing, trafficking, and making methamphetamine in June, but the former jockey narrowly avoided jail time and was given 5-years probation. Her husband, a former exercise rider for Monarchos, was not as lucky and was sent to prison for up to 25-years. Hopefully without her husband around she will be able clean her life up.

Tomorrow: Best and Worst Trainer Stories of 2007.