Jockey Gomez Back In Saddle, Bares All

If Garrett Gomez ventured multi-day benders, car crashes and substance abuse scandals on his way to racing’s record books, at least he’s honest about it.

The leading jockey, who’s recently returned to racing after fracturing his heel in a paddock accident in January, has co-authored a tell-all tome with Rudy Alvarado due out in May. Publisher Caballo Press recently released this dramatically soundtracked, text-heavy book trailer:

It’s more stereotype than secret that the fast-paced racetrack lifestyle lends itself to debauchery, and Gomez—a two-time Eclipse Award winner and four-time leading purse earner (2006-2009)—is no exception to the rule. Though he’s ridden his fair share of winners—perhaps most notably (and/or heartbreakingly) beating Zenyatta to the wire aboard Blame in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic—when it came to sharing his story, Gomez didn’t shy from his past.

He told ESPN’s Claire Novak: “My aunt called before she talked to Rudy and asked, ‘What do you want me to tell him?'” Gomez said. “I told her, ‘The truth.’ She said, ‘Everything?!’ I said, ‘Everything.’ That’s why I’m doing this, to let anyone struggling out there know that people have problems, they mess up, and it’s awesome that they get a second chance. I’m trying to make the best out of my second chance, and if this helps one person, it was worth my time.”

Publishing books and winning millions in purse money? Sounds like a pretty good second chance to me. The Garrett Gomez Story is available for pre-order.