Pincay breaks Shoe's all-time winning mark

INGLEWOOD, Calif. Fittingly, Laffit Pincay Jr.'s ride tothoroughbred racing history began from the No. 1 post. When it ended,he was No. 1.

Pincay guided Irish Nip to a two-length victory Friday in thesixth race at Hollywood Park for his 8,834th victory, breaking BillShoemaker's 29-year-old record and making him the world's winningestjockey.

"I felt like I won the Kentucky Derby all over again," he said.

Pincay, 52, took Irish Nip to a slim lead out of the gate alongthe rail and dueled most of the way with Laps N'Bounds, who stuck hishead in front briefly. Pincay tapped Irish Nip five times through thestretch and the horse inched clear.

"I said, `I think I got it this time,' " said Pincay, who went 1-for-5 Friday.

The crowd roared as Pincay crossed the finish line first on the44,647th mount of his 35-year career. He ducked his head down, raisedhis right arm in the air, then pumped it up and down.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Pincay told an outrider on thebackstretch. "It's really nice."

Pincay rode his first winner on May 19, 1964, aboard Huelen atPresidente Remon racetrack in his native Panama.

Pincay reached the winner's circle on his first U.S. mount, in1966 at Arlington Park.

Shoemaker had owned the victory mark since 1970, when he took itfrom Johnny Longden. Shoemaker, 68, was on hand watching Pincay, whohad lost his first three races.

"He's been a credit to racing. He's conducted himself with dignityall through his career," Shoemaker said. "He rode in rain, hail,sleet and snow. He wouldn't take off like most jocks would. I'm veryproud of him."

As Pincay galloped up to the winner's circle, he was greeted by astanding ovation and a thick line of photographers.

A blanket of white flowers was tossed over Irish Nip as Pincaymade his way into the circle wearing a huge grin. A smilingShoemaker, in a wheelchair since a 1991 car accident, joined hissuccessor for victory photos.

"I told him I love him," Pincay said. "He's my friend."

Chris McCarron, a fellow Hall of Fame jockey, drove up in thetrack's present to Pincay, a new white Porsche convertible. Uponseeing the car, Pincay stuck out his tongue and pumped his right armin the air.

In the winner's circle, the 5-1 jockey who starved himself foryears to be able to continue his career didn't reflect on hisaccomplishments.

Instead, he thanked those who helped him, including his wife,Jeanine, his agent Bob Meldahl and Fred Hooper, who gave him a ridingcontract when he arrived from Panama in 1966.

"I'm going to enjoy this as long as it stands," Pincay said.

Pincay planned to temporarily forgo his spartan 850-calorie dailydiet with filet mignon, cake and champagne.

The track's chef presented him with a steak, baked potato,asparagus and glass of red wine at a news conference.

"You know how long it's going to take me to eat this? An hour.Every little piece I'm going to chew 50 times," he said.

Typical of Pincay's dedication, he went ahead and rode in theday's final two races after breaking the record.

"I didn't want to disappoint anybody," he said.

Fans wanting souvenir win tickets bet Irish Nip down to the 2-1favorite from a morning line of 6-1. The 4-year-old paid $7.60 to winin the $35,000 maiden race on the turf.

Pincay's 35-year career includes election to racing's Hall of Famein 1975, a 1984 Kentucky Derby victory, three Belmont Stakesvictories and mounts on such great horses as Affirmed and John Henry.