Rockin’ the saddle: Outspoken jockey ‘Billy the Kid’ sees path to success for NorCal racing in Pleasanton

It’s been an interesting last few years as The Stronach Group’s feud with virtually everyone else in Northern California horse racing continued to intensify.

With the fate of Northern California horse racing at stake, many were reluctant to voice their opinion on anything relating to horse racing if it was anti-Stronach.

Fear of retribution ran rampant throughout those who made their living at Golden Gate Fields.

Over the last year, everything intensified as it crystallized that TSG was going to play their biggest hand and shut Golden Gate Fields down for good. That left the future of Northern California horse racing very much in doubt.

Even facing the end of their livelihood, few would step up and voice their feelings.

One such person that did publicly support racing in Northern California was jockey William Antongeorgi III.

While many publicly doubted that another NorCal group could be successful running a year-round meet, Antongeorgi regularly offered comments and support on social media, asking people to give the newly created Golden State Racing a chance.

“I’ve always felt like you need to stand on what you believe in,” Antongeorgi said down at the racetrack at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton one recent morning. “It’s what I felt — what I believed in.”

And his comments had others warning him to be quiet.

“There were some that said I shouldn’t be saying anything,” said the 37-year-old Antongeorgi. “They make it like you should shut up and sit in the corner. I never thought twice about saying anything.”

Antongeorgi is one of the top riders in Northern California and is arguably one of the more popular riders. He has a voice and forum many follow.

He’s built a brand and in fact has gear available on fantack.com. It’s either “WAIII” or “Billy the Kid” on the merchandise, which ranges from shirts to hats to accessories like water bottles or cell phone cases.

Where did it all start?

He first got involved with horses in Paris, Ky., as it was something in the bloodlines as his father was a jockey and his mom a trainer in show jumping.

When he was around 10, the family moved to San Diego where his competitive show jumping career accelerated. Antongeorgi continued show jumping until he was 17 when he started the transition to the racetrack.

His first race was at the age of 18 at Hollywood Park. He didn’t have a tough time adjusting to the different sports but there were notable differences.

“The horses required just a different style,” Antongeorgi said. “You are a lot more one-on-one with the show jumpers. The racehorse is a lot higher strung.”

After a couple of years in Southern California, Antongeorgi packed up his tack and headed east to Pennsylvania and PARX Racing.

That didn’t last long.

“Maybe three weeks after I got there a horse flipped in the gate and I broke my ankle,” Antongeorgi explained. “It was going to be a six-month rehabilitation, so I went home to San Diego.”

In 2008 he came north to the Bay Area. Among the early memories he built was getting a chance to ride at Bay Meadows.

“That was great,” Antongeorgi said of riding at Bay Meadows. “It was sad when it closed — I really enjoyed riding there.”

His home then became Golden Gate Fields during most of the year, but it was during the summers he grew to love the Fair circuit for many reasons.

“There’s more of a buzz at the fairs,” Antongeorgi said. “There are more fans — you get so many types of people that are into it.”

In 2014, Antongeorgi made the decision like others before and many since then, to take a shot at the Southern California tracks.

It didn’t last that long.

“I had some success down there, but I didn’t have a top agent,” Antongeorgi said. “I stayed for about a year, but business wasn’t picking up. I know I can ride with those guys down there — I was beating those guys for titles in Northern California.”

When he returned to the north, he got back to embracing the fans at the track — young and old alike, which has made him a fan favorite.

When you see his interaction with the fans, it’s easy to see why he’s become so popular. His interaction with the fans is fluid and sincere.

“(The interaction) just comes natural,” Antongeorgi said. “I watch other sports and see how they react. They come out and support us so why not interact. You give a kid your goggles and they remember you. It’s how you build a fan base.”

In the last seven years, Antongeorgi won more races and earned more prize money than anyone else at Golden Gate Fields. He had 3,673 starts in that time-frame, won 604 races, and earned $12,230,821 in purses.

He’s gained a reputation: You always feel like when he is riding, your money has a chance.

Trainer Steve Sherman — the son of California Chrome trainer Art Sherman — regularly uses Antongeorgi as a rider, and the reason is simple.

“He tries hard for me,” Sherman said. “That’s all I need is someone that goes out there and rides hard.”

Sherman also sees the reception Antongeorgi gets from the fans.

“He is very personable,” Sherman said. “He’s a good kid — always interacting with the fans. He’s always shaking hands with people, pumping his fists, and making sure everyone is having fun.”

Having fun and making sure the fans do as well are priorities for Antongeorgi. At 37, he is still in the middle of his career and has no exit day set.

“As long as I feel good, I want to keep riding,” Antongeorgi said. “The best part is being around the horses — I have a love for the horses. And winning is a big plus. You can be having a bad day, then you win a race and it’s like medicine.”

Of course, staying healthy is a big factor as well. Other than the early ankle injury, Antongeorgi has been relatively healthy.

He had a broken collarbone one time and has had a few cases of broken ribs.

“Yeah, but I rode through the broken ribs,” boasted Antongeorgi. “I had a couple of concussions and I have hit the ground a lot. You’ve got to be a little nuts to go out there. I’ve been pretty lucky so far.”

That, and some childhood exposure to other sports.

“My grandma put me in gymnastics, and I learned how to tuck and roll,” Antongeorgi said. “That helps when you hit the ground.”

Antongeorgi names Victorina (trained by Greg Gilchrist), Northern Causeway (Len Kasmerski), and Quick and Silver (Bill Delia) as three of the most memorable horses he has ridden.

Now with the future of horse racing in Northern California firmly resting in the hands of Golden State Racing, it is now or never to keep The Sport of Kings in the northern half of the state.

As mentioned earlier, Antongeorgi has been a big proponent of giving the group in Pleasanton a chance to make it work.

The question everyone is asking is — Can there be success in Pleasanton? Can Golden State Racing rebuild the sport from where it ended at Golden Gate Fields in a state of disrepair?

“I think so,” said Antongeorgi, who is married with three kids and lives in Livermore. “People love Pleasanton, and they always get fans here. California is tough with the politics, but I think it will work here.”

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