Who is Lindey Wade?

An unfamiliar name popped up in the racing program this season: Lindey Wade.

I'm sure a number of you are saying to yourselves, "Who's she?", only because you're thinking of your wives/sisters/girlfriends/bad prom dates who are named Linda. But the name is Lindey.

And here are 5 Fun Facts that you should know about Lindey Wade:

1. Lindey is a he.

2. He is a jockey.

3. He's a 20-year-old cutie-pie; kind of reminds me a lot of American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery without the singing part. But I'm sure if Lindey had a Facebook page 17,587,661 teenage girls would want to friend him.

4. Lindey's somewhat tall for a jockey, standing at 5'7". So of course, that means he's about as round as a No. 2 pencil. His weight management strategy is comprised of watching his diet and working in the Texas heat.

5. A Louisiana native, Lindey headed north and spent the past couple of years in Chicago. Frustrated with an unsuccessful riding career at Arlington Park, he packed up his boots, saddle, and skinny jeans and headed to Texas where he jumped into the fray at Sam Houston Race Park. His reward for changing locale? He tied for the riding title with Quincy Hamilton at SHRP. And currently, he's winning at 21% at Lone Star Park meet (read: Don't bet against him).

And a Bonus Fun Fact: You remember a horse named Blame? Well, so does Lindey. He was the jockey aboard Blame's first start - a MSW at Turfway Park where he ran 3rd.

So now when you see his name pop up in your racing program - maybe the Derby? Preakness? Breeders' Cup? - you'll think of a talented young jockey and not your irritating older sister.

Horse Racing at 100°F

A good handicapper can beat the heat at the racetrack in the air conditioned grandstand along with a couple scoops of Blue Bell ice cream. BYOWMF*

*Bring your own Water-Misting Fan

The Return of My Favorite Breakfast Food

Last Saturday morning, Lone Star Park brought back their highly successful and somewhat nutritional Jockeys & Java, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed morning program that enables racing fans an opportunity to watch workouts, ask questions, tour barns, and eat free breakfast burritos.

Lone Star Park's all-time leading rider, Cliff Berry, was the first guest of the program. One piece of Betcha-Didn't-Know information: Cliff Berry set a record last December at Remington Park, going 7-for-7 on one race card. He certainly spends his time doing his homework on each race, "I handicap the race not see who can win, but if I can win."

Of course, the one question that is consistently asked of jockeys, "Tell us about your injuries?" is a fan favorite. These 110 lb. guys are like midget gladiators; broken bones and bruises and stitches. Berry referred to himself as "lucky", as he nonchalantly said that he's broken his leg twice and bruised his ribs once. And here I am, moaning and wailing and consuming stockpiles of Advil when I have a hangnail!

The tour of the backside and trainers' barns remains a highlight, save for those mean ol' horse flies that come after you like the paparazzi. Dallas and Donna Keen are once again opening up their stables to fans, giving them the opportunity to see racehorses up close. And, interestingly enough, all the horses have their heads sticking out of their stalls, observing these burrito-stuffed individuals in return.

Tomorrow's guest is jockey Lindey Wade. I don't know anything about him other than he's new to Lone Star Park and he's having a pretty good meet, winning at about 21%. I'll learn more in the morning, after I eat my breakfast.