None was larger than the ’02 Plate victory.
“I bear in mind proper after it was over considering that this was like successful the Stanley Cup,” he stated. “It was the dream of each jockey, particularly the Canadian riders.”
T J’s Fortunate Moon’s successful time, although, was 2:06.88.
“It was a slowly working race, however time solely issues while you’re in jail,” Bahen stated. “That day, he was the most effective horse.
“The chances that day, he did not know what they have been, and I wasn’t going to trip him like he was 82-1. I used to be going to trip him like he had each likelihood on the planet. And while you look within the Plate historical past books, his title will all the time be there.”
Ten years later, Bahen acquired the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for his contribution to the game.
“I went to Fort Erie with my dad as a result of he was taking part in in an exhibition baseball sport in opposition to the jockeys,” Bahen stated. “Avelino reveals up in a cut-off T-shirt, cut-off shorts and no sneakers.
“He steps as much as the plate, hits one mile and will get a house run. He crossed dwelling plate after which simply left. I should have been six or seven, and I have never forgotten that second.”
Bahen will stay related to racehorses and racing by his work with longtime companion/coach Rachel Halden. He plans to gallop within the mornings at Woodbine and assist round Halden’s barn on the backstretch.
“Proper now, Rachel has simply began to ship again into Woodbine,” he stated. “I am galloping those which are right here now and serving to out with all the pieces else that must be completed within the barn.
“In lots of methods, it is like I have never stopped, however now I am not driving within the afternoons. I nonetheless love the game and I nonetheless love being across the horses. I all the time have and all the time will.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed March 27, 2023.
The Canadian Press