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By: John Bush, PGA TOUR Media Official

The Movistar Panama Championship -- now in its fourth season as a Nationwide Tour event --has quickly established itself as the place to be during the final week of January in the beautiful capital city of Panama City.

The tournament typically draws some of the largest crowds on Tour, with this year's event no different. Among those attending the famed Panama Golf Club this week was current Houston Astro outfielder and Panamanian native Carlos Lee. On Sunday, another famous sports star visited the tournament -- Laffit Pincay Jr.

Pincay -- a native of Panama City and current resident of Arcadia, California -- retired in April of 2003 with the most wins (9,530) in horse-racing history (he was later passed by Russell Baze). His career is a virtual highlight reel -- but one of the most important moments of his career came on Dec. 10, 1999 when he recorded his 8,834th win, surpassing his idol Bill Shoemaker on the all-time wins list. Other accomplishments include winning the 1984 Kentucky Derby, collecting three consecutive Belmont Stakes titles from 1982 to 1984, and being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1975.

To chronicle the career of one of the sport's most famous jockeys, a documentary was created entitled Laffit - All About Winning and was narrated by actor Kevin Costner -- who is a regular competitor at the Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs.

Tour media official John Bush had the opportunity of sitting down with Pincay at the Movistar Panama Championship for the following question and answers session..

Q: Of your 9,530 victories, which one stands out above the rest?

Pincay: Winning the 1984 Kentucky Derby on Swale is the highlight of my career. We won by three lengths and it was the best day of my racing career.

What was the key to your success?

Pincay: I had some ability, but I was also a hard worker. I loved the game. I tried to stay in shape at all times. Having good horses to ride didn't hurt either.

Q: Who do you consider the greatest jockey of all time?

Pincay: There are many great riders, but if I had to pick it would be Bill Shoemaker. He had everything ... he was a clean rider, a great athlete and a gentleman at the same time.

Q: Tell us about meeting Shoemaker for the first time.

Pincay: I had two goals when I left Panama to come to America. I wanted to meet Kim Novak from the movie Picnic, - my favorite movie of all time. As a 12-year-old boy, I was in love with her. The second thing I wanted to do was meet Bill Shoemaker. It happened for the first time in Chicago. I remember him walking into the jockey's room and thinking, "Wow, he is so little. How can he make those horses run so fast?" It was an honor to know him. He was the best in the business. I never met Novak though.

Q: Who is the greatest horse of all time?

Pincay: Affirmed. I had the opportunity of winning several races with him. We were only beat once. He was the smartest horse I've ever been around. He knew to be calm and wait for the gate to open. If you wanted him to lead from the beginning he would do that, but if you wanted him to lag behind and charge at the end then he would do that. He was a joy to ride.

Q: Other than horse-racing, what is your favorite sport?

Pincay: I love baseball. I'm a big Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Q: Do you play golf?

Pincay: I try. But I'm not too good (laughing).

Q: Which is harder, jockeying a horse down the homestretch of a Triple Crown event, or making a 10-foot putt to beat your buddies?

Pincay: I'd rather ride my horses any day.