"I'm so thankful that I'm on this side of the dirt, not the other." ~ jockey Randy Romero, reflecting on all that he's been through in his life.

"But I can't think of anything good to say about you..." HOF jockey John Rotz, after 2010 inductee Don Pierce, his former rival and now everyone's golf nemesis, asked Rotz if he would introduce him to the Hall.



The newly renovated Fasig-Tipton Pavillion...






Gary Stevens gave the keynote address...













Buster Millerick (1905-1986), trainer of Native Diver, among many other fine horses, was the first to be enshrined...











Michael Paulson, son of Allen Paulson, spoke eloquently and accepted the honors for the great mare Azeri, HOY in 2002...











A very emotional Larry Mabee, son of the late Betty and John Mabee of Golden Eagle Farm, accepted for the durable and beloved Cal-bred, Best Pal...






Ron Turcotte asks Pat Day for his autograph...






Libby Jones, the former First Lady of Kentucky, was there for horse-of-yesteryear Harry Bassethttp://www.pedigreequery.com/harry+bassett





Terence Collier, for the Thoroughbred Corp., and Bob Baffert both spoke before Point Given was enshrined. Collier told a story:

After Point Given inexplicably lost the Derby (Baffert had promised the late Prince Ahmed bin Salman that his colt would win), the connections went back and forth trying to analyze how such a thing could happen. After much debate and gnashing and wailing, the Prince stood up and said "Enough! We got beat. It happens. We'll move on to the next one." With that he adjourned to the lounge area at Churchill Downs, where he encountered some young racefans. He asked them how their Derby experience was going. One of them replied, "Great, until we bet on that bum Point Given." Without missing a beat, the Prince produced a wad of cash, and asked each one how much they had lost, and reimbursed them. By the time he got to the last bettor, his tale of woe was up to several hundred dollars lost. But he got paid.






Jockey Don Pierce was the next to go in...







He was introduced by fellow HOF jockey "Gentleman" John Rotz.






Randy Romero, who rode champions Go For Wand and Personal Ensign, was the final inductee. His introduction was preceded by a replay of the 1988 BC Distaff, one of the most exciting races in the history of the sport. It generated a thunderous ovation, which was repeated when he was brought to the podium...






He was also lauded by proclamations from a representative of Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana...






C. Kenneth Dunn, former president of Calder Race Course, presents Randy Romero with his plaque...






Before the ceremonies, Randy and his wife Cricket pose with trainer Dallas Stewart, left, and his wife.






This year's returning HOF members:

L. to r.: Angel Cordero, Earlie Fires, H. Allen Jerkens, T.J. Kelly, Jonathan Sheppard, Edgar Prado, Bill Mott, John Rotz, Janet Elliott, Pat Day, Bob Baffert, Ron Turcotte, Carl Nafzger, D. Wayne Lukas, Leroy Jolley, Neil Drysdale, Gary Stevens. (Not pictured: Nicholas P. Zito, Shug McGaughey and Kent Desormeaux.)







TW

Hey Tom... thank you for the excellent coverage of the event!

http://upinclass.blogspot.com/

You got a knack man (and a good camera!)

G

Great job, Tom! Thanks for sharing...