Last night's episode of JOCKEYS on Animal Planet was fast paced and engrossing. Much of the story focused on female jockey Kayla Stra who faced a tough decision: should she continue to fight against the odds or pack it up and head home to Australia?
Stra is doing a superb job in JOCKEYS, and brings genuine emotion to the reality show. I'm sure I wasn't the only one cheering when she got her first win at Santa Anita.
Early today she was hard at work exercising horses at Santa Anita, where I caught a photo of her heading back to the barns, her steed blowing steam in the frosty morning air. The day dawned clear and crisp after yesterday's deluge that dusted the San Gabriels with a light snow.
Stra has the mount on Jet Set Lass in tomorrow's 5th race at Santa Anita, for trainer Tom Blincoe. I'll be rooting for her!
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!
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!
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