A Jockey's Hard Life
One of my pet peeves in racing is when bookies criticize a jockey, usually after losing a bet for a bad ride, when it was a really bad trip. For those who do not know or do not differentiate between them, there is a distinct difference between the two. One is avoidable, one is not. First and foremost, there is no easy way to be a jockey. It is a hard demanding life physically, emotionally, mentally and even dieting. There are no guarantees, no off-season, and the competition gets tougher with more success and recognition. Staying on top is as difficult or difficult as getting there. Then you have to take into account how difficult it is to control a 1200-pound beast, which can be nervous, fidgety, unpredictable and stubborn, going 35-40 mph when you weigh 110 or 115 pounds. . This is no easy task. You also have to realize that jockeys have to make split other decisions, and their decisions, in addition to the decisions of other riders, can all affect how a race is run, and ultimately