Jockeys are more educated, more professional. They're looking at investing their money, looking at their retirement. Planning for the future is important, he says, as a jockey's career is likely to end at about age 40. At 40 you're going to be looking for another job. He's a marvelous athlete, a marvelous credit to this game.
Safety vests are now the rule.
Safety rails have now been installed at many tracks, and this past month in Kentucky, jockeys were required for the first time to wear helmets. And as always, there's a promising new hopeful ready for his first run. He won't be in this year's Derby, but Solomone says he's getting close. He was persistent, would not take no for an answer. He also had a college degree.