CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
June 4, 1998

The veteran jockey joined CBS SportsLine in the chat room and shared his thoughts on the Belmont Stakes, the competitiveness of the sport, and the risks of his profession.

Find out what Gary had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Question: Which is your favorite race?

GaryStevens: It's gotta be the Kentucky Derby. No question about it.

Question: What will you have to do in order to win the Belmont?

GaryStevens: Going into this race I have the utmost confidence in Victory Gallop. Although with Real Quiet's achievements in his past two races, I feel that if I beat him, then we will win the race.

Question: What's the hardest part of being a jockey?

GaryStevens: At the level of competition that I'm at at this point, it would have to be the travel and the constant weight reduction.

Question: How did you get started? Does racing run in your family?

GaryStevens: Yes it does run in my family. My father is a horse trainer. I have an older brother, Scott, who is a very successful jockey, and I have been around it all my life.

Question: Do you have a lot of friends who are also jockeys or does the intense competitiveness get in the way?

GaryStevens: We all get along in the fact that we know are life is at risk every time we go out to ride a race. That's not to believe that we all get along on a personal level. But, my best friends are other jockeys throughout the United States and the world.

Question: Who would you say is the best trainer today?

GaryStevens: There are several trainers that I have great respect for, but being that my home base is the west coast, I would have to say Richard Mandella is the best trainer that I ride for.

Question: In your opinion, are there more female jockeys now than when you first started?

GaryStevens: Yes there are. And they have made their mark on not only thoroughbred racing, but there are also quite a few successful quarterhorse female jockeys

Question: What needs to be done in order to enhance the popularity of horse racing?

GaryStevens: Get a major marketing plan, which I believe we have done with the startup of the NCRA and continue to heavily market on national television. Move towards adopting a younger audience. And to cater to the younger fans.

Question: Do you think that the length of this race favors Gallop?

GaryStevens: Well, it's a 1 1/2 race, there are 13 horses in the race, and if I haven't been able to give this horse a good trip throughout the mile and a half, then I shouldn't own a jockey's license.

Question: How much longer do you think you can continue to race professionally?

GaryStevens: As long as I still feel mentally strong and that I'm competitive and my body is healthy enough that I can still be competitive.

Question: Many say Trainee, Chilito and Highway are out of their class. In your opinion, do they even have a shot?

GaryStevens: Well, I see it as a longshot for any horse right now to defeat either Real Quiet or Victory Gallop, but you always have the unknowns, the horses that are lightly raced coming into the Belmont, such as Touch Gold was last year. So you don't want to take anyone lightly.

Question: Is there money in being jockey than when you first started?

GaryStevens: There are only 25% of all licensed jockeys that make over $25,000 per year. Unfortunately, there are 10% of all licensed jockeys that make over six figures per year. We all take the same risks, yet we're not guaranteed the same money.

GaryStevens: I enjoyed the chat, and I look forward to seeing it again. I hope we put forward a great show on Saturday. Thank you and good-bye.