Jockeys Nakatani, Trujillo taking part in charity boxing match at Del Mar
Horse races start when the announcer calls, "And they're off."
On Aug. 30 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, jockeys will get it on ... with boxing gloves.
Corey Nakatani and Elvis Trujillo are going to battle it out in the ring in a three-round exhibition boxing match. At stake? Bragging rights as the jockeys trade punches to raise money for a good cause in what has been dubbed the "Battle Off The Saddle."
The event -- featuring seven fights with the tussle between Nakatani and Trujillo being the sixth of the night -- will begin immediately following the last race of the day at approximately 7:15 p.m (Pacific). The professional main event features WBC Caribbean Champion Ruben "El Cobra" Garcia (10-0, 5 KOs) of Cancun, Mexico and battle-tested Javier "El Bravo" Gallo (21-9, 12 KOS) of Buena Park.
Nakatani, 43, has never shied from a scuffle, giving him the reputation as a bit of a racing bad boy. The veteran rider, who will celebrate his 26th year in the saddle in October, has more than 3,700 wins and $221 million in purses to his credit.
Elvis Trujillo, 30, is currently tied for leading rider at Del Mar with 18 wins in the first 21 days of racing. In his 13-year-career he has won nearly 2,000 races and more than $61 million in purses. Before finding his passion for racing, Trujillo trained to be a boxer in his youth.
Nakatani and Trujillo will officially weigh in for their fight between races in the winner's circle at Del Mar Friday, Aug. 29.
The "Battle Off The Saddle" benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a public charity that provides financial assistance to some 60 former jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries while riding. A percentage of each reserved ticket purchased will be donated to the Fund, which is overseen by The Jockeys' Guild. Advanced tickets can be purchased via ringsideatdelmar.com.
