After the Fire the Fire Still Burns

[Silver Charm]

Roger Daltrey-Under a Raging Moon

Another one of the best to ever sit in the saddle is calling it a career. Jerry Bailey has finally decided, on what has seemed inevitable, to move on from the day-to-day grind and spend more time with his family. Bailey has seemed to be wrestling with this decision for years and its one that some of sports greatest, Michael Jordon, Magic Johnson, Jerry Rice, the list goes on, have stretched to the point you were almost begging them to leave. Assuming Bailey is done for good, he leaves on top.

Bailey who came up the hard way, with mediocre natural talent but brains and a dedication beyond reproach, became Racings go-to-guy for a solid ten year stretch. The latter characteristics are what allowed him to eventually elevate his talent to as good as anyone in the business. Hence he got to call a lot of his own shots once he reached the Top.

One gets the feeling with Jackpot Purses available out there, all over the world, the travel grind has become an even bigger element in the careers of the games best. An already demanding job has become even more so with trips to Dubai, Sam Houston, Delta, etc as the biggest trainers with the biggest outfits move their horses around for the biggest purses.

Bailey will be sorely missed, just as Pat Day is and Pincay, McCarron, Stevens and Eddie D before him. Tracks can put up statues, busts or name a road after any of these superstars if want. But for all of us who love this great sport, they have already forever etched their images in stone in our minds long ago............