As the racing writer for the Lexington Herald- Leader, I have won three Eclipse Awards in thoroughbred racing, three Hervey Awards in harness racing, and I have had a lifetime of working with horses, on the track and in the show ring. But most of all, I simply enjoy horses. The opportunity to write about them has been a true gift.
Alicia Wincze is a general assignment sportswriter, covering everything from the Kentucky Derby to girls' soccer. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
Brown’s jockey speaks
Posted by Maryjean Wall on May 16, 2008
Here’s a bit of insight we just heard from Big Brown’s jockey, Kent Desormeaux:
“I have an idea of how the race is going to go. But the reality is when the doors open it’s all feel. I have to have this horse at his ultimate cruising speed…and when I ask him at quarter pole I have to have something left.
“Fifty percent of them are different on every race day. The horse that bounces onto the lead in one race might want to be quieter another time. They have different feelings; as a rider I just try to feel through that…”
Of Big Brown’s post position (No. 6, middle of the 12 starters), Desormeaux said:
“I think I could stick him right up somebody’s tail and follow them around the race track and he wouldn’t mind it at all. Let’s see how he reacts to all the jockeying for position early in the race. I think he’ll handle it just fine.”
