New Agent Is Hired by Faltering Pincay

Eighth in the Santa Anita standings a year after he won his 13th title at the Arcadia track, Laffit Pincay split with longtime agent Tony Matos Tuesday morning.

The world’s second winningest rider, the 43-year-old Pincay will now team with Jerry Ingordo, who spent 11 years with Pat Valenzuela before severing that relationship last fall. Most recently, Ingordo worked for Gary Boulanger, who, after limited success locally, departed several weeks ago and is now riding at Longacres.

Numerous observers have noticed that Pincay has been riding more than his share of longshots, and this is readily apparent when looking at his win percentage. He has 33 victories from 248 opportunities, only 13.3%. During the 1988-89 meeting, when he beat current leading rider Gary Stevens 110-100, he won with more than 20% of his mounts.

“I like Tony and he’s a good friend and I’d like to continue being good friends,” said Pincay. “I don’t want to say anything bad. It’s just one of those things that happens. We both agreed that we should split.”

There have been rumors in recent weeks that a Pincay-Matos breakup was imminent, but the rider denied the possibility in a published report last week.

Matos, who also serves as agent for apprentice Corey Nakatani and who has several other thoroughbred-related interests, declined comment. “Talk to Laffit,” was all he would say.

Ingordo said Pincay had called him Monday, saying he was going to make a change, but that he wanted to talk to Matos first. There had also been a conversation between the two about a month earlier.

“Laffit’s a good, classy rider and it’s going to be great to work for a guy like him,” Ingordo said. “I’ve been dying to go to work. I worked for Pat Valenzuela for 11 years and did well with him, but this is a little different. Laffit doesn’t seem to have too much business and he’s still very capable.”

Horse Racing Notes

Trainer Ron McAnally said Tuesday that Balla Cove and Single Dawn will be his horses in the Santa Anita Derby Saturday. Silver Ending, meanwhile, will wait for the Arkansas Derby April 21 at Oaklawn Park and Tight Spot, who bled when unplaced in the Jim Beam last Saturday, will go in the California Derby the same day. Besides the McAnally entry, the other probables for the Santa Anita Derby include the unbeaten Mister Frisky, Real Cash, Assyrian Pirate, Warcraft, Video Ranger and Music Prospector.