Just before the familiar bugle call that signifies the start of the race. You'll hear the judges call "RIDERS UP". Silks flash as one after another the Jockeys are given a leg up toward their rides. Each horse filing toward the Pony Riders who lead them in front of the cheering fans for the parade of colors!

As a young child I was facinsated by the race track. It was exciting in the grandstands when they come across the finish line (I think the adults found it more exciting because of the money). The yelling and shouting rivaled any ballgame I'd ever attended. My grandmother had her way of calling to the jockey as she cheered louder and faster, the closer they came. I think she believed they could hear her. (. . . close story)

I remember hanging around behind the track where you could run up to the fence and see the horses come around the backside. Sometimes the starting gates were back there too and when you are that close, you can just feel the anticipation. I was always so afraid for them. The calm before the storm for the jockeys as they stand atop those monsters in the gate. Then the bell rigns, the gates fly open . . "and they're off"! The thunderous pounding of hooves on the track almost a strange silence as they come down the back stretch. Silence broken only by the yells of the Jockeys to one another. Like it's another day at the office. It was unbelievable to me!

I used to love the nights after the races when we would meet people for dinner, and especially when one of the Jockeys came along. Such brave men (weren't many women at that time) and even tho they were smaller than my dad, as an eight year old, they were big to me! Seeing them ride these massive animals so closely packed at such speeds, made them bigger in my eyes. I was always looking up at them on the track, and in the winner's circle, when we were lucky enough to get there.

You might be surprised to find out that these professionals aren't treated with much respect outside the racing world. Sure lately we've seen a little television and other media coverage, thanks to networks like TVG (the Smarty Jones' of the world don't hurt either!) Programming that finally shows these Jockeys for the athletes that they are. But keep in mind. These are men and women without many choices for "group health insurance" let alone organized representation. Many times they live at the track. Leave their homes and families during the season, and often suffer life changing physical injuries just to participate.

Sometimes it's a fantastic tumble down the stretch, (or a near tumble like Afleet Alex in last year's running of the Preakness Stakes) that might make the sports highlights for a day or two. Many times however it leaves the Jockey (and the horse) unlike they were before. Often a career is ended right before our eyes. Remember Barbaro in the Belmont THIS year? A horible injury but an incredible ride by Jockey Edgar Prado!

Most of the time however it's much more subtle. Aches and pains. LOTS of Ibuprofin. It's like the NBA player who knows he only has a few good years before his body might give him trouble. But NBA players are well compensated for the risks they take. Not to mention they are flanked by legions of physical therapists, doctors and trainers. For the most part, a Professional Jockey gets paid "by the race" and there is no one there (except his/her comrades in the locker room) to care if something aches or needs to be attended to, let alone wrap a knee, or tape your wrist. (How can we help?)