Mariano Rivera enjoys a day at Saratoga

Last updated: 8/10/12 8:05 PM

Mariano Rivera hung out with Johnny V
(NYRA Photo)

New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera visited Saratoga on Friday, and the
New York Racing Association (NYRA) rolled out the red carpet for the all-time
great reliever.

Rivera’s Spa experience began Friday morning with a tour of the backstretch.
Escorted by new Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, the 12-time All-Star and
five-time World Series champion visited with trainers Todd Pletcher and
Kiaran P. McLaughlin. Rivera stopped by Darley Stables and met with Jimmy Bell,
president of Darley’s American operations.

“I did enjoy that,” Rivera said of the tour. “Johnny was tremendous with me
this morning…it was wonderful. I had a tremendous morning.

“I didn’t know the nursing and care they do with these horses. It’s amazing.
Today was like a school for me. I learned a lot. Next time I will know a little
bit more about horses.”

Rivera complimented Velazquez upon his induction into the Hall of Fame, which
took place following the backstretch tour Friday morning.

“It takes special players and special people to do that. And he is one of
them,” Rivera said.

“He is a great human being and a great jockey. It was well deserved he got
into the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the greatest.

“So thank God for Johnny and God bless him.”

Several children of backstretch workers also got the chance to meet Rivera,
who autographed baseballs for them. The children are attending the New York Race
Track Chaplaincy Summer Enrichment Program at Saratoga.

NYRA has posted video of Rivera on the backstretch

here.

Friday was declared Mariano Rivera Day in his honor, and later at the track,
Rivera received the proclamation from Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott T. Johnson.

The day’s 3RD race was named “The Spa Welcomes Mo!” for the occasion. Jockey
Ramon Dominguez guided 6-5 favorite Regal Strike to a front-running, half-length
victory.

Rivera made the presentation to winning rider Ramon Dominguez after the 3RD race
(NYRA Photo)

Rivera took part in the winner’s circle celebration and presented the trophy to
Dominguez. Track announcer Tom Durkin then turned it over to a reel of the
All-Star’s highlights, as a lead-up to Richard Migliore’s post-race interview
with Rivera.

“I have had a tremendous time here, it’s a blessing,” Rivera said. “For me,
it is my first time here, and I have enjoyed it tremendously.”

Migliore asked Rivera about his homeland Panama’s penchant for producing
great athletes.

“There is something in the water down there, definitely,” Rivera agreed. “We
have a lot of them, and one of the best — Pincay. So thank God for that.”

The Yankee great spoke about the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which assists
underprivileged youth. He expressed his thanks to all those who support the
Foundation, and explicitly mentioned the great success of the benefit hosted by
Siro’s Trattoria on Thursday night.

Video of Rivera’s winner’s circle interview is available

here.

Rivera is recovering from knee surgery following a season-ending injury in
May.

“My rehab is going well, definitely,” he said. “I’d rather be where the team
is, but unfortunately I can’t. I’m trying to get ready as soon as possible.

“I want to pitch now. But that doesn’t mean I will come back this year.

“It’s that 1 percent we have to hope and keep praying that the Lord will heal
me as quick as possible. But at the same time you cannot push it. If you push
it, you’ll make a mistake. Instead of pitching this year, you won’t pitch again
next year. I have to be wise and make sure I do the right thing.”

Although Rivera was attending the races at Saratoga for the first time, he is
no stranger to the upstate New York area, for he had played for the
Albany-Colonie Yankees:

“As I passed by the airport…it was a great memory for me,” Rivera said. “The
time I was here playing I had a great time and the fans were the greatest.”

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