Legendary jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. spent his 77th birthday Friday at Santa Anita, enjoying the day with family and friends.
After the third race, which was named in his honor, Pincay was joined in the winner's circle by the Santa Anita jockey colony and others where he was presented a birthday cake.
“This has been a great day, really enjoying it,” Pincay said. “I also got some nice presents.”
Pincay, who is an avid golfer, said his birthday gifts included a new golf bag and laptop computer from his fiancé, Edith.
“She's going to get me into computers,” Pincay said with a chuckle. “I don't know anything about them.”
Pincay retired from the saddle in April 2003 after amassing 9,530 victories, which at the time was the most-ever by a jockey. That record was later eclipsed by Russell Baze.
Born 1946 in Panama City, Panama, Pincay began his riding career at age 17 in his native country. He moved to the U.S. in 1966 where he initially rode at Arlington Park under contract with prominent horseman Fred W. Hooper.
By the 1970s, Pincay was a player on the national scene. He won the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey four times that decade (1971, ' 73, '74, and '79). He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1975.
In 1984, Pincay won the Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard Swale for trainer Woody Stephens. The following year he would add his fifth Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding jockey.
Other notable achievements by Pincay are plentiful. He won seven Breeders' Cup races, three consecutive Belmont Stakes (G1) from 1982-'84 and led the nation in purse earnings seven times. He was also a 14-time leading rider at the Santa Anita Winter Meet.
Pincay continues to reside in nearby San Gabriel, Calif. Among his retirement activities is lending support to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
“A couple times a year I do something for the disabled jockeys, which I really like to do,” Pincay said. “I play golf, do my things around the house. I also travel a lot and go to my country Panama a few times year. I'm enjoying life.”
The post ‘I’m Enjoying Life’: Hall Of Fame Jockey Pincay Celebrates 77th Birthday At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
