LAFFIT PINCAY JR. Injured jockey looks back on riding career

He was supposed to ride Indian Express in the Kentucky Derby.
By BETH HARRIS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. didn't want to leave racing this way.
The Hall of Famer, whose boundless energy and competitive spirit made him seem younger than 56, wanted to ride at least two more years.
But he was forced into retirement Tuesday after breaking his neck in a near-fatal spill almost two months ago, ending his career with a record 9,530 victories.
"He thought by then he would have ridden 10,000 winners," said Neil Papiano, Pincay's close friend and attorney. "It might have been much more."
The accident
Pincay was severely injured in a turf race March 1 when another horse, ultimately disqualified, swung wide into the stretch, knocked him off his mount and rolled on him.
At the time, the injury didn't appear serious and Pincay was treated at Santa Anita and released. When the pain persisted, he was examined by doctors, who found two breaks in the same bone in his neck. The bone is one of the uppermost seven vertebrae of the spine.
Doctors advised Pincay that his spine was not sufficiently stable to allow him to ride, said Hollywood Park spokesman Mike Mooney, who announced Pincay's decision.
"The doctor recommended that I never ride again," Pincay said. "It's a very sad day for myself and [wife] Jeanine. But we always prepared ourselves for the worst.
"I am very grateful to a lot of people who helped me throughout my career and I want to thank the fans for all the cards and well wishes. And I want to thank all my friends for their support."
Pincay became racing's winningest rider on Dec. 10, 1999, aboard Irish Nip at Hollywood Park. His 8,834th victory broke the record set by Bill Shoemaker.
Replacement
Pincay was supposed to be in Louisville for Saturday's Kentucky Derby to ride Indian Express for trainer Bob Baffert. The injury changed those plans. The ride subsequently went to 20-year-old Tyler Baze, in his first Derby mount.
Pincay's career included election to racing's Hall of Fame in 1975, a 1984 Kentucky Derby victory, three Belmont Stakes victories, five Eclipse Awards, and mounts on great horses such as Affirmed and John Henry.
Pincay won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1984 aboard Swale. He also won the Belmont in 1982 with Conquistador Cielo and in '83 with Caveat.