Do You Have Kentucky Derby Fever?
Shining horses, fancy hats, mint juleps, and red roses are just a few of the images that come to mind with the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby just around the corner.
The Kentucky Derby is not only one of the most prominent sporting events known in America, but also throughout the world. And this renowned horse race always seems to spur worldwide fascination with thoroughbred racing, even if it’s just for a short post parade and a mile and a quarter race. For some, this may be the only horse race you may see for the entire year, but there is no doubt you will feel like a true racing fan during the 2 minutes that history is made.
The Kentucky Derby is a big part of the spirit of America, so whether you are holding a mint julep at Churchill Downs or flipping burgers on your patio, millions from coast to coast will likely stop what they are doing when the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds spring from the starting gates. With mud, sweat, muscle and the force of horses and jockeys running at 40 mph to try for that blanket of roses and the first jewel of the Triple Crown to the roar from the crowd, it’s certain to bring a chill down your spine.
Many of us horse enthusiasts, and even just once a year racing fans, have an abundance of questions about the sport, the horses, and the powerful men and women who ride them.
What does it take to be a Kentucky Derby winner? How you do you go about becoming a jockey? What is it like to ride some of the fastest horses in the world?
Fortunately for all of us, I’ve recently had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Frankie Lovato, an Eclipse-award winning jockey who grew up with the sport and rode for 25 years. I’m a big fan of Frankie’s, particularly because he actually seems to enjoy answering me when I bombard him with questions about racing. (He also gave me a fantastic lesson on riding like a jockey on his Equicizer, despite the fact that I tease him by constantly pointing out that I’ve been too tall for it since I was about 10).
Frankie’s distinguished career in thoroughbred racing includes rides in over 15,000 races with 1,683 winners. And in total, the horses he’s ridden have earned over $41 million! Crazy, huh? Frankie retired in 2004, and has since focused on marketing his Equicizer (a handcrafted mechanical horse used world-wide for riders to exercise, train and use for therapy), building a therapeutic riding center with his wife, and training young jockeys.
Frankie has kindly offered to answer our most pressing questions about the life of a jockey and horse racing in general. So, just what about racing have you always wondered but never had the opportunity to ask?
Leave me a note in the comments, email me, or leave a post on the Regarding Horses Facebook page with whatever it is you most want to know!
I’ll put together a list of the 10 or so most burning questions and send them off to Frankie to answer next week as part of our own Kentucky Derby celebration.
And be sure to thank Frankie too, ’cause he totally rocks!
How exciting! I can’t wait to hear what Frankie has to say, although I really don’t have any burning questions off the top of my head. Except, tell us about the Equicizer? How much did you love it?
I’m currently doing a school project on what massages are needed after an athlete of our choosing. The problem is I’m not sure of what muscles are used while riding in a race…I found one website that may have worked but i’m leary to use it as the person wasn’t in this line of work…Can you tell me what muscles are used on daily while riding in races? Also if you’ve had a massage therapist what massage did you prefer over all? thank you for your time..
Angela Schlie
Hi Michelle & Angela,
Thank you both for your comments! Look forward to more as well from anyone that ever had a question about horse racing or jockeys
Michelle, As far as the Equicizer, it’s been quite an adventure for me. All started when I had a serious racing accident and needed rehab and there was no machine that simulated the position, balance and muscles I needed to ride a horse, and that was why I created the Equicizer! I never intended on it becoming a business, but now it’s my entire life. So many people are now benefiting using the Equicizer including those with disabilities… it’s been amazing to see how all this started from a misfortunate accident I had
If you get a chance, watch the video made on the Equicizer home page, I tell and illustrate the whole story 
Thank you!! this is the web address http://www.equicizer.com
Angela,
For a jockey to be fit enough to ride a race, there are so many muscles you would not believe are being used. Also the lungs have to be so developed. Even at my fittest, riding a race would still get me so winded and muscles burning. In a jockey position, the first muscles you will feel is your thighs, then calves, then your back and abs, and as you drive the horse forward with your arms, your forearms and back are at work and putting more stress on your legs to hold that position in motion, then even holding your head up to see, so much strain. I love to get people on the Equicizer that think it’s easy, funny to see them after just a few seconds how they fold in pain and discomfort
As far as your report, I would like to continue to help as much as I can. Not long ago, NPR radio did a story and a study on this, I was also interviewed for this. It is also on my website news at Equicizer.com but this is the direct link for the story, let me know what you think!!
http://www.equicizer.com/images/equicizer.com/default1.aspx?contentName=News&news=1&newsId=3182
I also wanted to mention to anyone that reads this blog (thank you Jackie) that I think it would be cool if anyone would have questions after the Derby, perhaps something you see that you may not have understood, I would be happy to add light to any subject
Thank you all!
Frankie Lovato Jr
Hi, Frankie.
This is Cheryl from FaceBook. I have two questions for you. As the mother of an aspiring jockey, what do I need to know to help my daughter achieve that goal? Second, what skills should my daughter be building on early in her training. (She is 11 and taking private lessons with a fantastic trainer.)
Thanks for the opportunity to pick your brain.
Hi Everyone,
Cheryl, I am going to answer you questions very soon. We decided to compile the questions and answer them in one shot.
Meanwhile, I came across this video with me on Youtube that was produced by Equestrian Life.com There is a whole series of videos I made for them but this one particularly, I talked about the Triple Crown.
This is the direct link but I will also attemped to embed the video and see if that works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npIlRaMhClw&NR=1
Thank you all!
Frankie
Hi Frankie!
I’ve noticed the stables at the race tracks keep the horses hay hanging outside the stall. I haven’t seen this anywhere else. What is the purpose of storing it this way?
Thanks so much!!
Laura
[...] horses, please share in the comments and I’ll add it to their bios. And don’t forget to get your thoroughbred racing questions in to be answered by former jockey Frankie [...]
Ok so i want to be a jockey but i dont know how to do that. How would you go about getting there? Where could i go since im about 40 miles west of tulsa no where near a race track or a farm with racehorses? what could i do to prepare myself? what is the ideal weight? height?
I offer many tools to help those who want to become jockeys. I am actually hosting my annual Jockey Camp the end of the month. You can visit my Jockey Camp Webpage by clicking here: http://www.equicizer.com/images/equicizer.com/default1.aspx?contentName=Jockeyworkshop
You may also feel free to contact me at Lov2befast@aol.com
Where do jockeys buy their whips, are there different styles? how much are they, how many do you order and do you order them in different colors?
mjsunc, Check out http://JockeyTack.com