Inside the Jockeys' Room with Prat and Wilson
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Jockeys Flavien Prat and Emma-Jayne Wilson take America's Best Racing’s readers inside the jockeys’ room in 2016. Prat rides on the Southern California circuit after launching his career in his native France, where he was named champion apprentice in 2009 and won a Group 1 race in 2013. He also won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes in 2015 in his first full year of riding in the U.S. Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson rides at Woodbine in Toronto after being named champion apprentice jockey in both the U.S. and Canada. She earned her first Grade 1 win aboard Interpol in the Northern Dancer Stakes in 2015.
Throughout the series Prat and Wilson share insight into all kinds of questions including how they became jockeys, what goes on between races, whom they admire and what type of movies and fashion style they prefer.
How many horses do you ride in a typical day?
PRAT: I ride about 10 to 15 horses a day. Some are in morning works and some in races in the afternoon. WILSON: On a busy race day — about five or six in the morning, then as many as 10 races in the afternoon.
What is an average race day in the life of a jockey like?
PRAT: I wake up and have a cup of coffee. I jump into the car and head to Santa Anita where I begin working horses at 6:30 a.m. I usually work three sets and then I go home, I workout and then I take a shower. I head back to the track and go to the jocks’ room to begin my day of racing. WILSON: Early alarm (with several snoozes), coffee for the road, work horses in the morning, pop between barns and check in with trainers, etc., get to the jockeys’ room by 11 a.m., where I settle in with the [Daily Racing Form] to handicap while snacking on breakfast, shower and sauna, stretch and warm up and go win some races!
What’s the one horse you didn’t ride but wish you had the opportunity to have ridden?
PRAT: Frankel
FRANKEL AFTER A WIN
WILSON: I would have loved to have been able to ride Seabiscuit — a horse from another era — it would have been interesting to know him personally as a racehorse!
My top three DVR shows are?
PRAT: “Game of Thrones,” “Narcos,” “House of Cards” WILSON: “Criminal Minds,” “Gray’s Anatomy,” “The Walking Dead”
My favorite scent or aroma on the planet is?
PRAT: Vanilla WILSON: Vanilla
My favorite charity is?
PRAT: Organizations that help in natural disasters WILSON: Children’s Hospital - Toronto Sick Kids
Favorite actress among: Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman or Jennifer Lawrence?
PRAT: Halle Berry WILSON: Jennifer Lawrence
What word makes you laugh?
PRAT: “Myrtle,” because I cannot pronounce it.
Who is your celebrity crush?
PRAT: Jessica Alba WILSON: Daryl from “The Walking Dead” — Norman Reedus
What’s the best horse racing event in America for a new fan to attend?
PRAT: The Kentucky Derby WILSON: The Saturday in late July when the Jim Dandy [Stakes] runs at Saratoga [Race Course]. The prep races for the Travers [Stakes] will have them hooked.
If you could switch roles for one day with any other professional athlete, who would you switch with and what would you do?
PRAT: Usain Bolt, to feel how fast he runs. WILSON: Three-day eventing — I’d love to compete at Rolex.
What website do you visit first in the morning upon turning on your computer, phone, other device?
PRAT: Facebook WILSON: Equibase
Someday, I’d like to experience …
PRAT: … skydiving. WILSON: … the Autobahn.