Los Alamitos, Lone Star Park, Golden Gate Fields, oh you said my favorite track? Sorry, that'd be Ferndale!!

I was a jockry from '77 until '95 although I wasn't actively racing that entire time. I spent 8 years breaking babies in Ramona, CA. and really loved that work. A broken back sidelined me for a little over a year and when I returned to my job, I had a freak accident (my first day back no less) and I broke 3 ribs and my arm. I thought I was all done with race horses at that time. I did quit riding for a couple of years and I was really unhappy without horses in my life. I moved to AK. and was there for a year. When I returned I did a few odd jobs here and there and then one night a good friend asked me if I thought about racing much anymore. I said Wow! Lets go up the mountain to my old stompin' grounds. I'd like to see if there is anyone there I still know. Maybe I'll get lucky and get to ride a horse or two. We drove up to Ramona in the middle of the night. We got there around 3:00 a.m. or so and made ourselves comfy in the car and slept till dawn. We were awakened by the sound of a truck with a diesel engine, loud. I'd not noticed who was driving but decided it was time to see what was up in the barns. I ran a brush through my hair and tried to look as presentable as I was able to after sleeping in a car all night. When I walked into the barn, my old boss Chuck Tolbert was standing there just grinning from ear to ear and ran up to me with his arms open! That was quite a moment. Chuck looked at me and said, where have you been gal and when are you going to be ready to come back to work? I looked at him and just laughed. You are kidding me right Chuck? He said nope, I'm serious and I could sure use your help. I said okay when do ya want me? He said January one. I said you got it but I want more than you were paying me last time. We haggled about pay, and I won this time round. I'd never given it a moments thought at all but boy it sure did feel like the right thing to do at the time. On the way home, Joe pulled over and looked at me strangely. What was that I just witnessed Laura? I said nothin', I just secured a job with my old boss. It's what I wanna do. He said, your Mom is gonna kill us both probably huh? I said, no she'll be a little bit upset but she'll get over it in time. Joe thought I was just nuts to wanna go back to racing. He'd never meant for me to take a job with horses. He just asked if I missed racing. That'd been enough for me to get me to thinking. I loved racing more than anything. I still love it to this day! I hope I can eventually resume my career racing. I still feel that if I can get myself as fit as I used to be, then it'd be no problem at all. Jim is still racing at nearly 58 years old. If he can do it why can't I? We'll see,... time will tell all things. But I'm glad to be involved in this industry. I do love it so.

Secretariat, Sunday Silence, Ack Ack, Best Pal, Ruffian, Go For Wand, A.P. Indy, Rahy, Lost Code, Fagai, Nureyev, Sadler's Wells, Blushing Groom, Danzig, Danehill, Perodin, and then there are some of the ones I'd actually been so fortunate to race myself. Those favs are Fagai, Rey Roner, Wicker Basket, PJ's Pistol Pete, River Dance, British Holiday, Zeeskite, Cool Mama, Qponsyl, Calyx, Mr. Jet Kitten, Wild Journey, Flaxy, Bint Alistair, Pasha, Frisco Gem, Miss J.H. and my Mr. Eye Candy!! There were so many others!!

Tori Amos, Dido, Imogen Heap, Eve Selis, Stevie Salas, Dave Fowler, Neon Vanilla, Sugar, R.E.D., Roman Bari, Homegrown, Silver Heels, Roy Harper, Marilyn Manson, Push Band, Chris Duquette, Bryan Adams, Vinvr Gill, Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Styx, Rolling Stones

Sling Blade, Puilp Fiction, Wizard of Oz, Phar Lap, Seabiscuit, An American Legend, Casey's Shadow, Black Stallion, Champion, To Kill A Mockingbird, Reds, True Grit, Bonnie and Clyde, JFK, National Velvet, The Yearling, From Here To Eternity, Amadeus, A Day At The Races. Rear Window, Primal Fear, Truth Or Consequences, Pal Joey

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I'm a retired Thoroughbred Jockey who continues to work in the horse racing industry as a Pony Person, or as an owner very involved in the day to day training and routine of my only horse, who was given to me on Easter Sunday in '08. The sweetest thing Jim has ever done for me and I was so shocked that he'd done such a thing. I'd not asked him for a horse, nor would I ever have. Just didn't figure we were in any position to take on such a responsibility as owning a horse. I was and am really surprised at how much this horse has brought to our relationship.

Diamond Jim Brooks and I have been together for about 15 years now. I first met Jim at Los Alamitos in '77 or '78. I was racing Arabians at the time and Jim is a Quarter Horse Jockey through and through. Although Jim has ridden many T'breds over the years.

I'm happy in my life and glad I'm still around. I'd had a bout with Cancer 3 years ago which nearly killed me. That was a rough time for Jim and I but God was ready for me to come home yet so here I still am and trying to be better than I was yesterday. It's a gift to be here and able to live a good life and one of my own choosing. I feel blessed for all I've got, and for all I've had in my life. Much to be thankful for.

I'm fond of creating on my computer. I also own a hosting service and along with my partner Jason Gateman, we build web sites together and also host them. Jason is a fabulous airbrush artist and a very talented photographer.

Most of the people I've gotten to know somewhat via my love of a racehorse named Barbaro. I'd like to meet the FOB the Fans Of Barbaro. I'd like to meet Doug Ahart again. I'd like to Nick Zito and talk with him about the alternative for Lasix. Or any of the Committee members to show them that Drugs are no longer a necessary evil on the racetracks of this country. DRUG FREE RACING!!!

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