Rolanda Simpson
Out of all the interviews up on this site I think it is safe to say I know Rolanda Simpson better than any of the other jockeys on this page. I spent quite a lot of time working and hanging down at the jock's room in 2000 at Garden State Park listening and talking with Rolanda. She is a very nice jockey who I have never heard even raise her voice to anybody. In the year 2000 Rolanda was up for the Eclipse Apprentice award (which she should have won) and she is now basing her tack at Philadelphia Park. I even had the extreme pleasure of presenting an award with her in the winner's circle on the closing day of Garden State Park as she was the last female rider ever to win a race the now closed track. (that pic can be found below) Jim and I are very proud to present this chat with this very promising young jockey. We did this interview near this huge truck that little Rolanda drives in the parking lot of Philadelphia Park.
Rolanda Simpson in the Garden
State Park winner's circle
FOTH: The first question is everybody calls you "Roly." How did you get this nickname?
ROLY: When I played basketball in my school.
FOTH: The nickname mystery is finally revealed. Where were you born and where did you grow up?
ROLY: Louisville, Kentucky. And I also grew up there as well.
FOTH: So you said the basketball team gave you that nickname.
ROLY: That is just what the team called me.
FOTH: So they just started calling you Roly ok no I understand I think. Do you ever plan on getting your hair cut short and has it ever given you any problems as far as riding goes?
ROLY: No problems pertaining to riding, but I do plan on cutting it short if I ever get up the nerve. (laughs)
FOTH: When did you make the move up the East Coast?
ROLY: March of 1999.
FOTH: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
ROLY: One brother.
FOTH: What do you parents think of you being a jockey?
ROLY: My parents were supportive. They aren't involved in horse racing at all. They really didn't know anything about horse racing. They were supportive of it though.
FOTH: Are they still supportive of it now?
ROLY: Yes they support it and everything.
FOTH: I remember reading in the Daily Racing From your parents had never seen you ride. Have they seen you ride now?
ROLY: Oh yeah my parents have seen my ride a lot of races now. They have seen me when I first started. They went to every race I rode while I was at Turfway Park.
FOTH: Did you have much interest in horse racing before you became a jockey? Did you like ever go to Turfway Park and stuff?
ROLY: No. I went to the race track a couple times and that was it.
FOTH: How did you then begin exercising/galloping horses then?
ROLY: I kinda just decided I wanted to be a jockey one day and I don't know why so my mom called a trainer and he (Larry Edward's) had a pony and he was at Churchill Downs and he taught me how to gallop out on the race track.
FOTH: What was some of the stuff you were taught as far as riding goes? What was one thing you still remember as far as being important today?
ROLY: Coming out of the gate would be the single most important one. Cause before anybody taught me and they just sent me to the gate on my own with no instruction at all when I went there and it was very difficult to get out of the gate without getting in a horses mouth before I knew you had to grab the mane.
FOTH: What was it like riding in a horse race for the first time?
ROLY: Well I won my first race. It was very exciting to say the least. I thought I would be very nervous and I was, but once I got on the horse and onto the race track I was perfectly fine.
FOTH: Was it overwhelming at all when you got your jockey license and here you were riding at Turfway Park?
ROLY: No not really. I had been there and this was where I started. I know everybody there and that is home for me.
FOTH: Ok I know you rode at Turfway Park for a bit and then you moved up and began riding in the Delaware/Pennsylvania/New Jersey region. What made you move up this way?
ROLY: My agent in Kentucky we were on everything that was longshots. Anytime we won it was on longshots and we would get lucky and winning. They would be 99-1 or 20-1 you know nothing live. So after I won my fifth race and my bug officially started and I had one year so he decided I had to go somewhere where I could win some races and I ended up coming up to this area.
FOTH: What was the name of the horse you won in your first race?
ROLY: Tsunami Finish
FOTH: Ok now after you came up this way you had a phenomenal year as you rode home 122 winners and was up for the Eclipse Apprentice award. Did you think you had a legitimate shot to win it and were you disappointed at all when you didn't win it?
ROLY: I wasn't disappointed at all. I never expected to do as good as I did so you know a big plus I did so well.
FOTH: So you go to go to California. Did you get to visit any places or sightsee while out there?
ROLY: No not really I went out there for the Eclipse Awards it was nice and it was fun and it was something I don't think I'll every experience again. It was good. (laughs)
FOTH: What are some of the tracks you have ridden at? Any worst tracks?
ROLY: Laurel, Pimlico, Charles Town, Philadelphia Park, Turfway Park, Penn National, Atlantic City, Monmouth Park, Meadowlands, Belmont, Aqueduct, and Garden State Park where a certain security person worked (laughs). Worst would be Penn National.
FOTH: Do you have a favorite horse that you have ridden?
ROLY: Probably Felite Patet.
FOTH: Do you think females are given a fair shake in the horse racing industry?
ROLY: Definitely not. No, we are not given a fair shot equally to the boys.
FOTH: Have you ever been taken off a horse because your a female?
ROLY: Not anybody straight up told me, but I am sure I have. They use the excuse I need a stronger rider. Too tough for the girl.
FOTH: How did you end up meeting your husband who is also a jockey around here (Jesus Castanon)?
ROLY: I met him at Turfway Park at the 2nd race I ever rode there.
FOTH: Now if you ever get a divorce would you consider marrying me?
ROLY: (giggles then breaks out into laughter) I am not planning on getting a divorce cause we have a dog together.
FOTH: Have you ever had a problem making weight?
ROLY: Absolutley not. I sit in the jocks room sometimes eating candy bars and sodas as the guys are in the steam room.
FOTH: Do you lift weights or take any supplements to help with your riding?
ROLY: No.
FOTH: Is there any track that you would like to ride at one day that you haven't. Have you ever seen like a track on TV and said "maybe I'd like to ride there someday"?
ROLY: Any race track as long as it is in Kentucky. I'll ride anywhere in Kentucky (we both laugh)
FOTH: When you are away from the race track to you have nay hobbies that you like or TV shows that you like to watch? What do you do in your spare time
ROLY: (grins) I go to Kentucky. (we both laugh big time)
FOTH: What a boring life you lead Roly. You got to do something. When Philadelphia Park is not running you sit home and do nothing?
ROLY: Basically. We don't do anything.
FOTH: You don't go to the movies?
ROLY: Yes we go to the movies and the mall and stuff.
FOTH: Ah ha see I found something. Are you ever recognized in public at all?
ROLY: No not at all.
FOTH: Take us through a typical day for Roly. What time do you get up to exercise horses?
ROLY: What time am I supposed to get up or what time to I get up? (smiles)
FOTH: BOTH
ROLY: (laughing) I get here about 7am. I am supposed to get here about 6am. (laughs more) I walk through the barns nobody ever wants me so I am done pretty early that is why I am come in at 7am and not 6am (flashes that smile) and I can be done at 8am (we both laugh). Then I take my long drive back home. (yeah in a huge big 4 by 4 truck. That must be a site to see this little 90 pound little jockey driving in this big 4 by 4 truck-Chris)
FOTH: In the tracks that you have rode at that have had slot machines have you ever out of curiosity walked through to see what the fuss is about and to see what gives the tracks that have slots those high purses?
ROLY: I have walked through Delaware Park slots.
FOTH: Ever plucked a quarter or 2 in them?
ROLY: I am only 21 come on (laughs) I am only just starting to be allowed to start gambling.
FOTH: Have you ever been heckled or bothered by any fans beside me?
ROLY: Heckled what does that mean?
FOTH: A fan yelling at you that you suck or you’re a damn no good broad and stupid stuff like that. You know yelled at ya for losing.
ROLY: I don't think so. Not to my knowledge.
FOTH: See I am the only one then that bothers you Roly ha ha. What is the name of your little pet here and do you have any other pets?
ROLY: He is a miniature pinscher (think that is right. It looked to me like it was a small dog like the one in those Taco Bell commercials. He did like rubbing my leg while we talked-Chris) and his name is Chewchie. He is only 7 weeks old and I have 2 goldfish as well.
FOTH: You also went out to Canterbury Park and rode when they had Claiming Crown day. How as it riding out there as compared to East Coast tracks?
ROLY: It wasn't a whole lot different. It was fun to get to go there to ride in 2 races. And I finished second in a $98,000 race with Felite Patet.
FOTH: What was biggest race you were in and the biggest you ever won?
ROLY: A $250,000 race that was here (Philadelphia Park). I won a $40,000 race here I think that was my biggest.
FOTH: How hard was it to adjust to life after you lost your apprentice tag?
ROLY: Well for the first 3 months everything just carried over and you still have your same business and then a little bit and they kinda just start weeding you out. It is a lot tougher that is for sure.
FOTH: Now your married to another jockey. Do you guys every inject in some playful fun when you are in a race together or if you beat him in a photo?
ROLY: Yes we do (laughs). He has never beaten me in one of those (referring to a photo finish). I am the one that always gets to do the bragging (all 3 of us break out into big time laughter).
FOTH: Now I don't think you have had any serious injuries that I know of. Am I correct in saying that?
ROTH: No injuries yet thank God.
FOTH: Good let's keep it that way. Any jockey's you admire?
ROLY: I like the way Robby Albarado rides. He usually rides in Louisiana and Kentucky. I like the way he rides and sits on a horse.
FOTH: Any funny jockey stories to tell?
ROLY: Everytime a bug rider wins his or her first race it is funny as they get plastered with all kinds of stuff.
FOTH: Your not very old, so how much longer do you want to ride for?
ROLY: I don't know. Probably not real long (laughs). I mean everything depends on how I do. I am not somebody that wants to be doing something and not be good at it. If I am not gonna do no good I rather not do it all. I rather people not say "like at her she used to win a lot of races, but now she is starving to death."
FOTH: I remember reading in the racing form you may go to college one day. Since your still young is that something you might consider doing?
ROLY: Um..yeah when...right now if I do good at Philadelphia I am gonna stay for the winter and if not I think I am gonna go back to Kentucky and if I go back to Kentucky and go to school.
FOTH: Well Rolanda we both hope that doesn't happen. If you decide to stop riding in say 2 months do you have anything you want to do?
ROLY: I probably won't stop riding in 2 months, but I am pretty positive that I won't. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't want to do so it would be really hard when I do go to school its gonna have to deco when I get there cause there is really nothing I rather do than this.
FOTH: You also told me you don't like night racing.
ROLY: Yeas it is tough when you ride Penn National or Meadowlands or Charlestown and your in a late race and you don't get home till like the 2am or so. I prefer day racing.
FOTH: Any last words?
ROLY: Thumbs up (giggles)
Rolanda Simpson at Philadelphia
Park