Hall of Famer Pat Day to retire

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day is expected to

 announce his retirement from racing on Thursday at Churchill Downs. A press

conference will be conducted at the historic racetrack.

The 51-year-old will conclude his riding career as the all-time leader in purses

 won. In his 32 years as a jockey, Day has earned $297,941,912, and he ranks

 fourth in total wins with 8,804.

His career highlights include a Kentucky Derby victory on Lil E. Tee in 1992, as well

 as five Preakness Stakes and three Belmont Stakes wins. The Colorado native was

 aboard Tabasco Cat in 1994 when he won both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

At the Breeders' Cup, Day has ridden to victory 12 times and is tops in earnings

with more than $23 million. He won the inaugural Breeders' Cup Classic in 1984

with Wild Again.

A born-again Christian, Day is expected to work with the Race Track Chaplaincy of

 America.

This year has seen Day miss the Triple Crown races while he recovered from hip

replacement surgery. He finishes 2005 with 26 wins and earnings of better

than $1.7 million.