Randy Romero ~ Gone

[RUFFIAN]

Hall of Fame Jockey Randy Romero Dies at 61

Hall of Fame jockey Randy Romero's decades-long battle with severe health issues ended around midnight Aug. 29 when the Louisiana native died. From 1985 through 1989 alone, his mounts earned more than $35 million.

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MY PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH RANDY

I was Honored to have spoken with Randy on the phone one evening a
few years ago due to strange synchronistic circumstance when he came
into a restaurant by Gulfstream Park, where my relative was working

Once seated at his table, near the TV screen with the races,
my relative asked Randy, if he were 'into horse racing'

Randy laughed and said ~ ''yeh you might say that!''

My relative then mentioned me and my connection with GO FOR WAND
and my Articles & Poem about her

Randy said:
'Do you know who was the only jockey who rode her?' ME!

So my relative asked Randy if he would speak with me on the phone?

He said, of course, so the next thing I know, I get a call and being the
skeptic I am refused to believe it was really him and that I was being pranked ~

Randy said he had read my poem and article on GFW ~
What a Special Filly she Was ~ and what a wonderful writer i was and how much my words touched his heart!

Still being a skeptic, he gave me the phone number where he was staying with Billy & Rose Badgett {GFW Trainer}

Of course, U know I HAD TO CALL later on and sure enough it was TRUE!

[Alabama Stakes]

^

[NJ Stinks]

Ruffian, that's a great story!

Randy was so young.

[JolyB]

Ruffian, there is a wonderful tribute to Randy Romero in today's Saratoga Special. I think you might find it worthwhile reading. You can find it on Page 30. Here's a link to get you there:

https://thisishorseracing.com/news/i...ti-media/print