The Pirate

[Tim Y]

One forgets just how dominant a force was Laffit Pincay. I was lucky enough to
get a first hand education in his ability when the inaugural Oak Tree meeting
was underway and I was still a fledgling. Unable to pronounce his name correctly
the first time, I had no idea who he was but soon found out after a few
performances.

I have NEVER seen another rider who could WILL a horse to the line. Time after
time his mounts would be headed mid stretch and would come on again often ON THE
RAIL where few riders will even attempt a move. I recall his doing that twice on
Skywalker (SA Derby and LGA Mile). the surprising thing about many of these
moves was how often he was just scrubbing on the horse. He often used the stick
to excess as well.

Just watched the good video Pincay "All About Winning" (thanks to my good friend
D. B who lost her mother a few weeks ago and to whom we supplied the jockey
photo)and marveled at how often trainers would tell the tale of how he often
came back to the winner's circle with his left boot covered with the white paint
scrapped off from his up close and personal contact with the inner rail. His
Belmont on Caveat stands alone in that regard as Cordero forced Au Point into
the rail with Slew O' Gold and he nearly went over the inside fence (which he
did several times as the video showed).

There are good riders today who are in the same ball park, but NONE that
compares with his abilities. NONE.