I would like to relay this conversation I had a couple of years ago one morning on the backstretch before the WTC recently held at Gulfstream.

This is not intended to be a let me tell you who I was talking to type thing—that’s not my style. I was in a one-on-one with Hall of Famer Pat Day when Day out of nowhere blindsided me with this:

“You know The Derby is THE RACE but this is THE DAY. For all of us who make our living in this profession, jockeys and trainers alike, this is what we live for. Everybody is watching and it has major importance for all the Breeders and all the Owners. As a COMPETITOR this is the day you want to say you lined up against the best of the best, with a million dollars on the line, and you BEAT THE BEST. And you get to try and do it eight times that day. The Derby is fine but the WTC is what its all about.

You could almost feel the adrenaline and emotion in his voice. I was totally shocked, you could tell this was coming from deep in HIS OWN GUT.

I can’t wait.

Good Luck Everybody.

Even ALL of you Raggies.