Horse Racing
Like salesmen, they work on commission

By Scott Hanson
Seattle Times staff

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It was a cold, blustery early morning at Emerald Downs, about a month before opening day. It wasn't a day to be outside.

But jockey Gallyn Mitchell hadn't missed a morning since the track opened for training on Feb. 2, and he wasn't going to let a little bad weather stop him.

As usual, he was working out horses from 7 a.m. to noon. Once the season begins Friday, he will take one day off each week, working in the mornings six days a week and racing Thursday through Sunday.

"Working them in the morning gives you a chance to know the horses, and it lets you connect with trainers and owners," Mitchell said. "Hopefully, it will lead to mounts once the season starts."

In most cases, jockeys do not get paid for working out horses. They make most of their money on commission, so getting to know the right people — and the right horses — is important.

Jockeys get 10 percent of a horse's earnings on winning rides and considerably less for second- and third-place finishes. Jockeys get a flat fee — between $40 and $50 for most races at Emerald Downs — for riding horses that finish out of the money.

Three years ago, Mitchell won the $250,000 Longacres Mile aboard Edneator. Edneator made $137,500, meaning Mitchell's share for winning the race was $13,750.

The average race at Emerald Downs is worth a tiny fraction of that, and jockeys give about 25 percent to 30 percent of their earnings to their agents and another 5 percent to 10 percent to their valets, who take care of their riding equipment. While the top few riders at Emerald Downs do very well, the majority make a modest income.

When the season ends in mid-September, most jockeys will move to tracks in other states to continue to make a living. More than just the money, though, it's a way of life.

"I have been around horses all my life," said jockey Jennifer Whitaker, who also works as an exercise rider for trainer Howard Belvoir. "Horses are like human beings. You can learn so much from them. By being around them, you can find what they like and what they don't like — things that can help you as a rider."

Leading trainer Tim McCanna agrees. He likes to use jockeys who know his horses.

"I like guys who will work with you in the mornings and get to know the horse," McCanna said. "And I don't want someone who is worried about hurting my feelings. If a horse can't run, I want them to tell me. I want someone who can help me out with suggestions."

McCanna and Belvoir both say they also look for effort when picking a jockey.

"There are some jockeys who, if they are not going to place in the top three, quit working," Belvoir said. "I want someone who is going to try all the way, even if it's for fourth or fifth. I realize that jockeys aren't perfect and they are going to make mistakes. That is why I like the ones who are going to give a great effort."

Mitchell has a theory about what it takes to be a good jockey.

"I think the best jockeys are patient, but you also have to know when to cut loose and ride really hard," Mitchell said. "I think a great jockey needs soft hands. The horse can feel you through their reins."

But how much difference can a jockey make?

"I don't think a good jockey makes a lot of difference to a horse, but a bad one certainly can," McCanna said.

Jockeys seem to agree, however, that good horses are the key to winning.

"I think most of it is the horse," Whitaker said. "I think if you don't have a lot of horse, then everything has to be perfect for you to have a chance to win."

First and 10 percent
The majority of races at Emerald Downs have purses from $4,300 to $9,900. Below is the track's jockey fee scale for those races. Races with bigger purses have better payouts for second, third and unplaced. For winning rides, jockeys make 10 percent of the horse's winnings regardless of the size of the purse.
Purse	1st	2nd	3rd	Unplaced
$4,300 to 4,900	10%*	$55	$45	$40
$5,000 to 9,900	10%*	$65	$50	$45
*The 10 percent take the jockey receives is from the winner's share, which is 55 percent of the total purse.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company