[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4617-S4618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SALUTING IDAHO'S HALL OF FAME JOCKEY

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise to salute an outstanding 
young man who has made his mark as a professional athlete--jockey Gary 
Stevens, a native Idahoan.

[[Page S4618]]

  Gary Stevens won the Kentucky Derby on Silver Charm earlier this 
month, becoming the only active jockey to win the Derby three times. 
Gary won it on Winning Colors in 1988 and Thunder Gulch in 1995. Gary 
joins a select group of jockeys as three-time Derby winners.
  Gary Stevens' accomplishments are worthy of Hall of Fame 
consideration. And indeed, Gary was recently elected to the National 
Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. At 34, he is one of the youngest to 
win election to the Hall.
  A native of Caldwell, Idaho, Gary Stevens attended Capital High 
School in Boise. He won his first race at the age of 16 riding at Les 
Bois Park in Boise. Even at such an early age, it was clear to racing 
fans that he had a gift and his talents would lead to something 
special. Horse racing experts say Gary is a master of pace--once he 
gets a horse in the lead, he has the ability to get the horse to relax 
and pace itself so it has enough to win the race.
  If needed, he can come from behind, as he did in the Derby. Gary says 
once he got Silver Charm in the lead, the horse's ears popped up, and 
Gary said he knew his colt was relaxed and in good position.
  Over his career, Gary Stevens has won over four thousand races and 
more than one hundred million dollars in purses. For all his success, 
he remembers his roots. Sportswriters heard him say after the Derby, 
``The kid from Idaho can still do it.'' And his family and friends in 
Idaho are rooting for him. Thousands of fans at Les Bois Park cheered 
him on as they watched the Derby simulcast. They will always remember 
him as ``their'' jockey. His peers also recognize Gary's special 
talents and personality. He was elected this year as President of the 
Jockey's Guild, an honor because his fellow riders have chosen him to 
represent their profession.
  I know that every Idahoan joins me in congratulating Gary Stevens for 
winning his third Kentucky Derby and for his election to the Hall of 
Fame. I also want to acknowledge his parents, Ron and Barb, for their 
contributions to horse racing in Idaho and for raising such a fine son. 
Ron still trains horses at Les Bois Park, so the Stevens family remains 
a part of Idaho's racing scene.
  So, Mr. President, I am pleased to wish Gary good luck this weekend 
at the Preakness Stakes, where he will once again ride Silver Charm. 
Gary Stevens is a winner--a winner I am proud to say who is also an 
Idahoan.

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