I agree Joel, that is funny to hear.
Kind of like when Nakatani said he didn't think he had ever ridden in the Breeders Cup Classic a couple of weeks ago after a race in California.
Corners of his mind: Next time a jockey says riding in the Breeders' Cup Classic is something you never forget, tell him to check with Corey Nakatani.
After Lava Man's victory in Sunday's Pacific Classic, a reporter asked Nakatani about his experiences in past runnings of the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be the horse's major objective this fall (Nov. 4, Churchill Downs).
Nakatani said he didn't think he'd ever ridden in the Breeders' Cup's richest race but dreamed of doing so someday.
In fact, he has ridden in the Classic seven times, finishing second with Deputy Commander (1997), third with Dramatic Gold (1994) and Dynever (2003).
Fortunately, Nakatani's mind is sharper on the racetrack. He rode a sensational race with Lava Man, taking charge of the pace before burying the field on the far turn.
Nakatani spent five days in the hospital a week earlier with a bacterial infection. If he was still groggy, it didn't show Sunday - at least during the race.
I often wonder how the jockeys view the game overall. I haven't had the experience of being around them too much.
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