Gaffalione looking ahead to Preakness, not back at Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Like a lot of people, Tyler Gaffalione is about over the Kentucky Derby. He just wants to take things one day at a time, a deliberate process that will put his difficult trip on War of Will – and having to rehash it over and over – ever further in the rearview mirror.

“I’m really looking forward to the Preakness,” said Gaffalione. “I think [War of Will] can compete with anybody given the opportunity.”

If you’re wanting to feel bad for Gaffalione because his mount was impeded by Maximum Security in the Derby – don’t.

:: Get the Preakness all-access package, including advance PPs

At 24, Gaffalione is living the dream, winning riding titles and further entrenching himself among the riding elite in North America. He’s earning a phenomenal living – his mount earnings since his career began less than five years ago are $41.4 million – and he loves the jockey lifestyle, particularly since he began integrating the spring and fall meets at Keeneland and Churchill Downs into his annual circuit.

“I’m not much of a city person,” said Gaffalione, a third-generation jockey who grew up around horses in his native Florida. “It’s wonderful here.”

Last fall, in a remarkable parlay, Gaffalione was the leading jockey at Keeneland and Churchill in his first full meets at both tracks. Last month at Keeneland, off a solid winter at Gulfstream Park, he was squarely in the mix at the spring meet, finishing tied for second just one winner behind Florent Geroux. Looking ahead, the strength of the core business that he and agent Matt Muzikar have built figures to make him a top contender for the riding crown at the 38-day Churchill spring meet, which runs through June 29.

“I feel very fortunate to be in the position I’m in,” he said. “I’ve got a lot going for me and I want to make the most of it.”