Stevens tops chart among active jockeys

By Ray Buck
CBS SportsLine National Columnist
May 3, 1997

LOUISVILLE -- Gary Stevens is still pinching himself. He never has had a week quite like this.

On Wednesday, the 17-year veteran jockey was inducted into thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame.

Seventy-two hours later, he was posing for pictures in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby.

As usual, this is a "rider's race" -- especially in Saturday's more manageable 13-horse field whereby it became less of a race of chance, and more of a race of tactical skill.

"Gary gave us a dream trip," said trainer Bob Baffert, whose Cavonnier finished second (by a nose) to Grindstone in last year's Kentucky Derby.

THIS WAS ONLY STEVENS' SECOND TIME on Silver Charm. He finished second to Free House -- Saturday's show horse -- at the Santa Anita Derby April 5.

Stevens previously won the Kentucky Derby on Winning Colors ('88), the last filly to win this race, and Thunder Gulch ('95), a 24-1 longshot. Silver Charm went off Saturday at 4-1.

Among active jockeys, Stevens now becomes the winningest jockey in Kentucky Derbys. Here is the list:

All-time Kentucky Derby jockeys' winners list

Jockey Mounts Wins
Eddie Arcaro (1935-61) 21 5
Bill Hartack (1956-74) 12 5
Bill Shoemaker (1952-88) 26 4
1-Gary Stevens (1985-97) 12 3
Angel Cordero, Jr. (1968-91) 17 3
Earl Sande (1918-32) 8 3
Isaac Murphy (1877-93) 11 1

1-Active career

Ray Buck is CBS SportsLine's national columnist.