How bad was he? He rode 20 years and won 3,000+ races. He was mediocre enough to once win five races on a card from five mounts.

So he basically lost it all at the tables two years ago and now he's returning, at age 50, to a sport that exists primarily due to gambling.

Yeah this "heartwarming" story isn't over just yet and Herbie hasn't had too many happy endings in his life...err wait, he probably has...

Heck, I'm 52 and trying to make a come back. No addiction or anything like that, just trying to get to that level of life I had 25 years ago before a red headed wife and 20 year old son that thinks he knows more than me and the rest of civilization. The good news is no one has to bet on me.

As for any of these jocks, let's see what they'll do. They won't get my money until they prove themselves just like any other jock or horse that gets my bet. Whether they are 20 years old or 60 years old I don't really care about the details of their life as long as they can ride home winners.

Otheriwise the form would have the jockey's name and a comment like they do the horse, something like....." Was out late last night and had 8 beers before coming home and finding his wife had left him" or "Had eyes checked recently and found to be blind, first time glasses"

Really all these details don't manner cause there's no way you can know everything going on in somone's head.

Spyder

Spyder

Otherwise the form would have the jockey's name and a comment like they do the horse, something like....." Was out late last night and had 8 beers before coming home

That reminds me of the night of The Blue Grass at Keeneland. A jockey who shall remain nameless was in the drinking establishment that we were in, and was in Happy mode. Needless to say, I didn't play any of his mounts on the West Coast the next day. :rolleyes:

So he had/has a gambling problem? Is that a good thing for a rider?

Andy makes a compelling counterpoint here.. I'll only say that it's the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's decision to let a Herb McCauley ride, just as the NYRA stewards had to make a similar call to grant David Jacobson a trainers' license after being away from the game for 25 years.

Simply put, McCauley's current riding ability will determine the outcome of this story.. I think bettor's should give him the same chance that Goldberg or other trainers' are giving him..

How does him riding affect the bettors any more than any jockey you might perceive is less than capable? You could say a sophisticated bettor would benefit from him riding just as easily. I guess I can see the point but it's unlikely he's going to put other riders in danger or greatly affect the outcome of a race other than the horse he's riding (like some other not so capable riders do). He does know his way around the track.

How many mounts can this guy get anyway. They have the best jocks riding the best horses, so most trainers will not change that anyway. He is the Chop Chop of NJ shore now. He most likely will sit in the jocks room waitng for a sudden call to post.

In this game, 50 is retirement age.

Best statement in this entire thread.....know how you feel Spyder ;)