Recently the Daily racing form ran an article regarding the untimely death of a young apprentice jockey, Emanuel Jose Sanchez. It was the only mention I saw regarding the incident and it became a terrible epitaph of driven young man pursuing his dream.  The article indicated that Emanuel had been warned by track stewards at Colonial Downs regarding his weight loss tactics. I have no doubt that the DRF and the stewards at Colonial Downs had nothing but the best intentions, but it reads like “I told you so”. I’m sure there is so much more to this that meets the reader’s eye.

It may be obvious that one can’t use extraordinary means to achieve the modest weight jockeys must achieve; and that some diet regimes may be unhealthy to the extreme. I’m sure Emanuel knew he was on the edge. I’m also sure that Emanuel knew that he wanted to be a jockey more than anything else. There is no reason to elaborate on the obvious here. We all know the danger and it isn’t likely that another “I told you so” will change the diet regime of others young men facing the same dangers.

All that can be said is… we will miss you Emanuel. God bless you.