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A True Hall of Famer


"I wish I could put every one of you here on a racehorse at the eighth pole so you could have the same feeling I did," Julie Krone said during her induction into the National Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga in early August.

"I got to do something I love so much every day. And today I know for sure life doesn't get any better."

Krone, the best female rider ever with 3,545 victories, became the first woman inducted as either a jockey or trainer. Culminating a 19-year-career, her accomplishments include:

Capturing the 1993 Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair, the only woman to take a Triple Crown race.

Winning 11 riding titles, including two each at Gulfstream, Belmont, Monmouth and the Meadowlands -- the only woman to do so at a major track.

Earning more than $81 million before retiring last year at age 37.

Coming out on top in 277 stakes, including 119 that were graded.

She accomplished all this while battling prejudice in a man's world, debilitating injuries and depression. That's why I was surprised that Daily Racing Form publisher Steven Crist didn't vote for her and wrote:

"When it comes to training and riding, though, human females are given no breaks. Krone did not ride in races restricted to female jockeys or get a weight allowance due to her gender. There are Eclipse Awards for champion fillies of different ages and specialties, but none for the leading female rider. That may or may not be fair, but those are the rules. Under them, it was difficult to cast a vote for Krone. Judged with no regard for her gender, her achievements simply don't stack up with most Hall of Fame inductees and she falls short of several males who have been on the ballot."

Mr. Crist forgot one thing that Bill Nader, director of broadcast communications and promotions for the New York Racing Association, didn't. ". . . there are times in life when you simply throw away the rules," said his letter to the publication.

". . . let's think about how long it will be before we see the next Julie. How long until the next female jockey wins a Triple Crown or a Grade 1 race? How long until the next female jockey can walk among the jockey colony at Belmont Park or Saratoga Race Course with the chance to win five on any given day?"

Mr. Crist missed another important factor: impact. Wherever she rode, who a positive outlook created goodwill for the sport.
The copyright of the article A True Hall of Famer in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish A True Hall of Famer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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