McCarthy prevails in stirrup-less ride at Laurel

Trevor McCarthy had a wild ride in the 4TH race at Laurel on Thursday (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Trevor McCarthy has ridden 171 winners in his young career
but none more exciting than scoring with Chi Chi’s Pride in Thursday’s 3RD race at Laurel Park.

At the break, the four-year-old gelding bumped with Carnbrea’sdestiny, causing McCarthy to lose his irons
and forcing the jockey to ride
the entire race with his feet out of the stirrups. At the top of the stretch,
Chi’s Chi Pride was fifth but rallied between rivals and got up at the wire to
beat Carnbrea’sdestiny by a nose. The John Salzman Jr. trainee paid $10.80.

“It was the wildest experience I have ever had in a race,”
McCarthy grinned. “We came out of the gate and he leaned to the right and I went
with him. When I leaned back left I lost my left stirrup and then lost the right
while trying to recover.

“I did try to get them back in at the half-mile pole but
it didn’t happen. I gave him a tap on the shoulder at the top of the stretch and
he came running. It was fortunate we were able to get the win.”

Here is a replay of the race:
http://youtu.be/IKYz-li3Qik