Joe Talamo, resident of Louisiana, the son of an assistant trainer, launched his driving career in style when he earned the Eclipse Award as the excellent student of Noord -America in 2007. He then won 2,343 races, including 24 degrees 1 games, while his Mounts earned more than $ 131.6 million. Talamo, 35, recently started a new chapter in his life by becoming a member of Fanduel TV as a full-time host and racing analyst. He thought about his years as a jockey and discussed his new role during a question and answer session that was performed on behalf of the best racing in America.
Pedulla: How did you develop interest in racing?
Talamo: We had grown up horses in our back garden. I think I was on a horse for the first time when I was 2 or 3 years old. There is a picture of my father who holds me on a horse and I was in diapers. I started the job for the first time when I was 6 or 7. That’s just about when I fell in love with horse races.
Pedulla: What did it mean for you when you won the Eclipse Award as a leading student?
Talamo: Oh, that meant the world to me. It is such a great honor. I didn’t try to think too much about it, but it was one of the best things in my career.
Pedulla: You won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with California Flag in 2009. Was that your biggest victory?
Talamo: That’s a difficult one. The [2009] Wood Memorial with I Want Revenge definitely sticks out.
Pedulla: Why that race?
Talamo: He was a bit left at the gate. He was 15 lengths back. I still can’t believe he won that race.
Pedulla: I think that is a good example of a rider who also has to stay cool, whatever happens.
Talamo: Yes. He was also a very good horse. That certainly helps.
Pedulla: What caused you to stop driving at an age when you could have continued?
Talamo: I really wanted to take a few months off to relax and relax. Regarding a jockey, it is 365 days a year. There is virtually no low season for us. You get up at 4:30 or 5 in the morning to grind mounts. I really just wanted to take a break. This came with Fanduel after a few months and I fell in love with it.
Pedulla: What do you hope to bring broadcasts?
Talamo: Perhaps some things that the average viewer would not know, but coming from a former jockey would certainly help.
Pedulla: You have been to horses all your life. With this you can read their body language from a distance?
Talamo: Absolute. From driving on thousands of races, I can do that fairly easily. It is a second nature.
Pedulla: Is there an analyst that you really admire and that you want to pattern afterwards?
Talamo: Since I started, I have tried to take pieces and bits from everyone I worked with. When working with Fanduel, the culture they made is really incredible to be part of it. That is proof of all analysts and the talent there.
Pedulla: You have studied so many earlier versions, are you at the point where you can read between the lines?
Talamo: One hundred percent. I have the Racing form Since I was 12 years old, something like that.
Pedulla: There may be times when you have to criticize a trainer for what you have worked or someone with whom you were driving. Do you accept that as part of the work?
Talamo: I have already done that in the air. I don’t do it in a mean way. I’m not going to say: “That was terrible. That was absolutely ridiculous. They have to drop this jockey. “I do point out that” maybe that wasn’t the best decision. ” But I’m not afraid to say it and I said it.
Pedulla: What is the most challenging aspect of your new position?
Talamo: I wouldn’t say challenging, but you have to put the work in it. You have to study and do your homework and go through all the horses, whether it is a longshot or not. You have to study and know every horse. Everyone I work with is so professional and has done so long, it really makes what I do easier.
Pedulla: What do you think that can be done to raise young fans?
Talamo: That’s a good question. For young fans it is one thing to watch it on TV and something to go to the race track. If I said one thing, it would go to the track and looks at a race from the rail. I still get a hurry and look at the rail. If you come out and look live, I bet you are attached to some people. It is one of the best sports and one of the oldest sports.
Pedulla: What do you think of the future of racing?
Talamo: That is a fairly big question. It is clear that I hope that horse races will be nearby as long as I live and hopefully hundreds of years longer. It is no secret that some songs do better than others. Some people say horse races die. Not if you look at the Keeneland Sale and the [Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga Sale. I don’t see it going anywhere.
Pedulla: Do you have career goals outside of Fanduel?
Talamo: I like what I do with Fanduel. I am mentally in a very happy place. It’s work and you have to study the time. On the other hand, I am really having a good time, I love talking in the air and bringing another dynamic from the perspective of a jockey. At the moment I am almost entirely working on this.
Pedulla: Does the possibility to retire a healthy factor in your decision?
Talamo: They were just the chances. Being jockey is dangerous, but that was one thing that never came to mind. I don’t think you should be a jockey when you think about the danger.
Pedulla: Is there a part of you that feels unfulfilled like a jockey? Is there a part of you that wants to go back?
Talamo: Not at the moment. If I ever get the itching and really want to come back, I am lucky that I don’t think I would have a problem and even fitness-qua problem. I will always remain physically fit. If I were going back, I would like to be completely busy with it and try to do it really well. I would not want to go back and drive alone to drive. I don’t want to drive two horses a day that are 10 or 20-1 [odds]. That does not do anything for me. That was one of the reasons why I took some free time. I felt that I didn’t get the opportunities to do well. At the moment I am completely busy with Fanduel and I am glad I do it.
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