Jockey Joe Talamo on his Way to Kentucky Derby

Talamo at Clockers' Corner, Santa Anita, April 27, 2010.

A crew from ESPN was out at Clockers' Corner Tuesday morning to interview jockey Joe Talamo before he headed to Churchill Downs to ride Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy in the 136th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1.

Talamo spoke about the thrill he experienced last year when, at the tender age of 19, he made the trip to Louisville to ride in his first Kentucky Derby, only to experience the ultimate disappointment when his mount, I Want Revenge, the early favorite, was scratched before the race.

ESPN crew sets up for interview with Talamo at Santa Anita.

Talamo is incredibly gracious and well spoken and seems always to have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. We look forward to watching segments of his interview during ESPN's coverage of the Derby. Here's wishing him the best of racing luck this year!

Jockey Joe Talamo to Represent U.S. in Hong Kong

Southern California rider Joe Talamo will represent the United States in the 12th annual Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday, December 9.

Twelve international jockeys will participate in an opening ceremony featuring a spectacular pyrotechnic show that will light up the Happy Valley skyline. The world-class riders will then compete in three legs of racing, with the jockey accumulating the most points winning the championship. Jockeys are assigned their mounts randomly in the three handicap races.

Last year, Douglas Whyte, Hong Kong's leading jockey for the last 9 seasons, won his second consecutive Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship and third overall. The South African-born 37-year-old failed to win any of the three legs of the championship, but took home the first prize by finishing second in all three legs.

First leg of the 2008 Cathay Pacific International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse. U.S. jockey Cornelio Velasquez closed down the center of the track on Super Genki, wearing down fellow American Garrett Gomez on Classa Suprema, who finished third. Finishing second was Hong Kong based jockey Douglas Whyte on Bobo Win.

Talamo will also ride California Flag for trainer Brian Koriner in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on Saturday, Dec. 13. The Sprint is one of four international group 1 events at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Worth a total of $8 million in purses, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races also include the Hong Kong Cup (2000m), the Hong Kong Mile (1600m), and the Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Jockey Joe Talamo Works Mine That Bird

Jockey Joe Talamo was aboard as Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird worked five furlongs this morning on the all-weather track at Santa Anita. He was clocked in 101.8. Trainer Chip Woolley and owner Mark Allen were both out for the work this morning. Mine That Bird is prepping for the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree on October 10.

Talamo was a guest on the Tonight Show last night with Conan O'Brien, and he presented Conan with a jockey helmet!

Joe Talamo in a Live Interview at Hollywood Park

Kurt Hoover interviews Joe Talamo for "The Inside Scoop."

Jockey Joe Talamo unleashed some of his southern charm on a group of fans at Hollywood Park this morning in an interview with Kurt Hoover for "The Inside Scoop." Talamo spoke about several topics, including his mount on Kentucky Derby contender I Want Revenge, his upcoming races on the Gold Rush Day card at Hollywood Park, and his fitness regimen.

Blue skies and an ocean breeze are the backdrop for today's California Gold Rush Day, which features ten stakes races for California-breds. The stakes are all named for past California champions such as Snow Chief, Melair, Khaled, Fran's Valentine, B. Thoughtful, Tiznow, Grey Memo and Alphabet Kisses. Talamo has mounts for seven of the stakes races.

Zap! of the Week: Santa Teresita Romps in Santa Maria Handicap

Jockey Joe Talamo and Santa Teresita scored a dramatic 13-1 upset in the Grade 1 Santa Maria Handicap at Santa Anita Saturday. The 5-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid registered her first graded stakes win and provided trainer Eric Guillot with his first Grade 1 victory. Marzelline and Model dead-heated for second in the 1-1/16 mile race for fillies and mares.

Enjoy some great footage from paddock to winners circle by Larry Zap!

Zap is known as "the eye" for being able to measure quality in thoroughbred racehorses, and is practically a fixture at Southern California tracks. He has a deep appreciation for quality horses, music, movies, live performance, and comedy. Zap co-hosts Race and Sports Radio every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 AM (pst) on San Diego's XX Sports Radio (1090 AM) and online at XXSportsRadio.com .

JOCKEYS Continues on Animal Planet

Jockey Mike Smith at Santa Anita.

Those of you who enjoyed the premier of JOCKEYS as much as I did are no doubt looking forward to this week's installment on Friday, Feb. 13, at 9:00 PM (ET/PT) on Animal Planet. Two more half-hour episodes are scheduled.

In Episode 3, "At What Cost?" another young jockey arrives on the scene. Fresh from a string of victories in the Midwest, Brandon Meier hopes to build a racing career to rival that of his jockey father. But, like many of his fellow riders, Brandon must decide how far he will go to maintain his weight at a competitive level. Will he risk his health for success on the racetrack? And, after failing to find her way to the winners‘ circle, Kayla Stra faces a tough decision: should she continue to fight against the odds or pack it up and head home to Australia?

And in Episode 4, "Losing Grace," Mike Smith and Chantal Sutherland seek a balance between their competitive working lives and their attempt to create a home together. Things heat up between Joe Talamo and Aaron Gryder after Joe gets a win aboard a horse named for Aaron‘s daughter.

Here's a sneak preview of this week's show. Enjoy!

"Jockeys" Premieres Tomorrow Night on Animal Planet

The much anticipated docu-drama JOCKEYS premieres Friday, Feb. 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Animal Planet. The series will chronicle the lives and careers of seven jockeys -- "The Icon" Mike Smith, "The Elder Statesman" Jon Court, "The Comeback Kid" Alex Solis, "The Working Man" Aaron Gryder, "The Breakout Female Star Chantal Sutherland, "The Hotshot" Joe Talamo, and "The New Girl" Kayla Stra (not pictured).

"The world of the racetrack is complex and controversial. Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the country, and this series is charged with the high stakes, big risks, strong personalities and drama of the sport on and off the track," says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. "The lives of these jockeys and their mounts are on the line in every race. It's an intense existence that makes for exciting television."

Cameras will take viewers on and off the track -- from the jockeys' homes to the jock's room for a close-up look at how these athletes physically and emotionally prepare for each race. Audiences will get to know the lives of these seven jockeys, their personalities, strengths and flaws.

"So little is known about what goes into becoming a jockey, but these athletes couldn't triumph without the strength, speed and spirit of their equine partners," says Kaplan. "I think audiences will be surprised by what unfolds throughout the series."

One thing that unfolds is a love story, the relationship between Chantal Sutherland and Mike Smith. Here's a little preview:



Chantal Sutherland also spoke briefly about the show recently, after working the filly Well Monied for trainer Howard Zucker at Santa Anita.

I for one am excited and anxiously awaiting tomorrow night's show!