Inside the Jockeys’ Room with Gary Stevens

Gary Stevens before winning the 2014 Woody Stephens aboard Bayern. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and Chantal Sutherland-Kruse, a two-time Sovereign Award winner in her native Canada, take America's Best Racing's readers inside the jockeys' room in 2014. Stevens and Sutherland-Kruse will provide answers to all sorts of questions such as how jockeys get paid, what goes on between races, whom they admire and what type of music and fashion style they favor.
In this edition of Inside the Jockeys' Room we learn a little more about Stevens, whose comeback in 2013 was arguably the biggest story in horse racing and featured wins in the Preakness Stakes with Oxbow and Breeders' Cup Classic with Mucho Macho Man. Find out more about what he views as his greatest achievement and how he would like to be remembered.

Do you have any kind of rituals or superstitions before you race?   
STEVENS: I do have rituals and superstitions, but I'm not giving away my secrets!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?     
STEVENS: Being a father.    
STEVENS WITH DAUGHTER MADDIE

How do you want to be remembered?    
STEVENS: I'm just hoping they remember me.   
How would you like to die?           
STEVENS: I don't like this question. I don't want to think about it. I know we all die but it's morbid and I don't want to think about it. I just want to enjoy the journey I'm on.    
What celebrities are you friends with? Have you done anything cool with them, either at the racetrack or away from the track?    
STEVENS: Lots of celebs. They come to the track. Some I have gone on vacation with or golfed with. Sometimes we just do dinner or go to each others’ houses. The same things you would do with non-famous friends. Some of my famous friends have passed away and that’s always sad.
What was your first pet and what was its name?         
STEVENS: Gigi. She was a black poodle and my best friend. She went everywhere with me.
Sometimes it’s scary to think … ?
STEVENS: That this won't last forever.
STEVENS (RIGHT) AND OTHER JOCKEYS AT THE 2013 WORLD SUPER JOCKEYS' SERIES

My favorite place to hang out by myself is?       
STEVENS: The jocks’ room, but that is with other people. By myself would be my backyard.
My favorite charity is?       
STEVENS: Remember Me Rescue
My favorite scent or aroma on the planet is?    
STEVENS:  Roses … especially on the first Saturday in May.