Notebook: Gary Stevens cites cardinal rule

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Jockeys can't make slow thoroughbreds run fast, but they can make quick ones lose. Hall of Famer Gary Stevens cited the cardinal rule for a rider: "Just don't make mistakes."

While giving the keynote address Friday at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Stevens recalled a nervous moment from the spring of 1988. He was about to ride the star filly Winning Colors in the Santa Anita Derby, her final Kentucky Derby prep and her first race against males. As he was leaving the jockeys' room, he heard Bill Shoemaker say, "Hey, Stevens."

The 25-year-old thought he might be getting some advice or encouragement from the old master. Instead, The Shoe gave an impish smile and said, "Don't screw it up."

He didn't, as Winning Colors won easily, setting her up perfectly for the Derby, in which she again beat the boys.

Success a group effort

Randy Romero joined Stevens in the Hall of Fame on Friday, and Romero knew that even on his special day, it wasn't all about him. He gave credit to the people and the animals who aided his success. "I was fortunate to always be around a lot of great trainers and horses," Romero said. "It's horse racing, not jockey racing."

He saluted his two greatest mounts, the undefeated Personal Ensign and the ill-fated Go for Wand, whom he called "two of the greatest fillies of all time." He thanked the Phipps family, who bred and owned Personal Ensign, and trainers Shug McGaughey, Bill Mott, Billy Badgett and D. Wayne Lukas. And he didn't forget two Cajun trainers from his early days, the late Clement Hebert and his son, Doris.

Throughout a career marred by injuries and illness, Romero kept his faith.

"Without God on my side, I couldn't have made this journey, especially with all the accidents I've had," he said. "I also want to thank all of my doctors - I've had about 50 of them - and all my agents - I had about 40 of them."

Fun times

One of Romero's longtime Cajun buddies, Carroll Angelle, gave him the business at the ceremony. Angelle used to own a restaurant in Opelousas, La., across the street from the original Evangeline Downs. Romero was an 18-year-old rising star there, and one night he came into Angelle's place with a pretty 15-year-old named Cricket McLean.

Angelle asked, "Randy, are you baby-sitting her?"

Romero was taken aback and said, "No, that's my girlfriend." A year later, she became Mrs. Randy Romero, and she was in the audience beaming on Friday.

Saratoga live on MSG Plus

MSG Plus, in partnership with the New York Racing Association, will continue its live coverage of Saratoga stakes races next Saturday from 5-6 p.m. with the Grade I Alabama Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. NYRA handicappers Jason Blewitt, Eric Donovan and Andy Serling will provide commentary. The rest of MSG's schedule: Aug. 28, the Grade I Travers and the King's Bishop; Sept. 4, the Grade I Woodward and Forego.