Bailey to ride at Gulfstream

Jockey Jerry Bailey said he intends to ride at least the first part of the Gulfstream Park meeting and refuted an Internet report that indicated he has reached a deal with ABC and ESPN to work as an analyst on their horse racing coverage.

Bailey, 48, has strongly hinted that he would retire at the end of this year. But on Tuesday, Bailey said he plans to ride when Gulfstream opens Jan. 4.

"I'm going to start riding at Gulfstream," Bailey said. "I don't know how long it's going to last."

Bailey, a seven-time Eclipse Award winner and a Hall of Famer, did say he has an interest in going into broadcasting when his career is through. But, he said, "I don't have any agreement with any network."

Bailey is the regular rider of First Samurai, the Hopeful and Champagne winner who will be based at Gulfstream this winter and who will be pointing to the April 1 Florida Derby.

With $295,792,809 in career purse earnings, Bailey is just $2,119,210 shy of Pat Day's career record of $297,912,019. Day retired in August.