A mud-splattered Gary Stevens has relished the hard knocks entailed of once more being a front-line jockey.
Back in the saddle —
A mud-splattered Gary Stevens has relished the hard knocks entailed of once more being a front-line jockey.
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One of the more colorful figures on the flat racing scene, the 51-year-old has embraced his second coming as though each race is his last.
Back in the saddle —
One of the more colorful figures on the flat racing scene, the 51-year-old has embraced his second coming as though each race is his last.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
He works tirelessly to get himself in shape -- here he tackles a mechanical horse to prepare himself for racing.
Back in the saddle —
He works tirelessly to get himself in shape -- here he tackles a mechanical horse to prepare himself for racing.
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It is a far cry from 1988, when he celebrated his first Kentucky Derby victory.
Back in the saddle —
It is a far cry from 1988, when he celebrated his first Kentucky Derby victory.
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A second followed in 1995 on board Thunder Gulch in a race he sees as the pinnacle of the sport of kings.
Back in the saddle —
A second followed in 1995 on board Thunder Gulch in a race he sees as the pinnacle of the sport of kings.
His third and, to date, last Kentucky Derby victory was in 1997 on board Silver Charm.
Back in the saddle —
His third and, to date, last Kentucky Derby victory was in 1997 on board Silver Charm.
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While still riding, Stevens went into acting, teaming up with Gary Ross (left), director of the 2003 film "Seabiscuit," and son of acclaimed screenwriter Arthur Ross (right).
Back in the saddle —
While still riding, Stevens went into acting, teaming up with Gary Ross (left), director of the 2003 film "Seabiscuit," and son of acclaimed screenwriter Arthur Ross (right).
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He retired in 2005 and went into broadcasting as a racing analyst before winning another acting role in the television series "Luck," in which Dustin Hoffman starred as a jailed mobster who gets into the horse racing business after his release.
Gary Stevens: Back in the saddle —
He retired in 2005 and went into broadcasting as a racing analyst before winning another acting role in the television series "Luck," in which Dustin Hoffman starred as a jailed mobster who gets into the horse racing business after his release.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images/file
It may take him a four-mile walk each morning to get his knees warmed up to race, but he insists it's been all smiles on his return.
Back in the saddle —
It may take him a four-mile walk each morning to get his knees warmed up to race, but he insists it's been all smiles on his return.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
After his comeback in early 2013, Stevens rode Oxbow to victory in that year's Preakness Stakes.
Back in the saddle —
After his comeback in early 2013, Stevens rode Oxbow to victory in that year's Preakness Stakes.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Stevens has no idea how long his second racing career will last, but he has no immediate plans to ride into the sunset.
Back in the saddle —
Stevens has no idea how long his second racing career will last, but he has no immediate plans to ride into the sunset.
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