Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.

Biography

Brought by Fred Hooper from Panama to ride in the United States in 1966 at the age of 19, Laffit Pincay, Jr. developed into one of thoroughbred racing’s most accomplished and revered figures.

Pincay found immediate success in America, winning with eight of his first 11 mounts while riding at Arlington Park. When he retired in the spring of 2003, Pincay owned the all-time record for wins with 9,530 and was the all-time leader in earnings with $237,120,625. He won five Eclipse Awards, led all North American jockeys in earnings seven times, and was the all-time leading rider at Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita.

A powerful rider with great hands, Pincay won the 1984 Kentucky Derby with Swale, three consecutive editions of the Belmont with Conquistador Cielo (1982), Caveat (1983), and Swale (1984), and seven Breeders’ Cup races. He rode many of the greats of his era, including Hall of Fame members Affirmed, Bayakoa, Cougar II, Desert Vixen, Gamely, Genuine Risk, John Henry, and Susan’s Girl.

Pincay’s success in California was enormous. He set records for career wins at Hollywood Park (3,049), Santa Anita (2,860), and Del Mar (1,011). He won a combined for 637 stakes races at the three tracks. Pincay won 16 riding titles at Hollywood Park, 14 at Santa Anita, and five at Del Mar, as well as titles at Saratoga, Arlington, and Hawthorne. He won nine editions of the Hollywood Gold Cup, seven runnings of the Santa Anita Derby, and five renewals of the Santa Anita Handicap.

Achievements

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey — 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1985

North America’s leading rider in earnings — 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1985

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1984 Kentucky Derby — Swale
Won the 1982 Belmont Stakes — Conquistador Cielo
Won the 1983 Belmont Stakes — Caveat
Won the 1984 Belmont Stakes — Swale

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 1985 Juvenile — Tasso
Won the 1986 Juvenile — Capote
Won the 1986 Classic — Skywalker
Won the 1988 Juvenile — Is It True
Won the 1989 Distaff — Bayakoa
Won the 1990 Distaff — Bayakoa
Won the 1993 Juvenile Fillies — Phone Chatter 

Other Highlights

Won the Hollywood Gold Cup — 1970, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1986, 2001, 2002
Won the Santa Barbara Handicap — 1968, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1993
Won the San Bernardino Handicap — 1967, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1985, 1989
Won the Santa Anita Derby — 1968, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1985 
Won the Los Angeles Handicap — 1968, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1989, 1997