Father’s suicide, rough patch in sport set up emotional and triumphant return at Del Mar
DEL MAR — The emotions became jumbled and knotted as joy, relief and a twinge of sadness all wrestled to take control inside of Drayden Van Dyke.
Van Dyke stepped away to regroup late last year. When business became unsteady, as it routinely can in that topsy-turvy world, he found his stride again at Gulfstream Park in Florida.“I’ve been going non-stop since I was 18,” Van Dyke said. “I lost my father at 18. I just kept going, kept going, kept going. I never took time to really mourn and process everything. I took the time off for myself.”
It was Van Dyke’s second Breeders’ Cup victory after piloting Stormy Liberal in the 2018 Turf Sprint. The fat $41.60 payday for a winning ticket told the story of an astonishing race.“I’ve learned a lot,” said Van Dyke, who won the summer and fall riding titles at Del Mar in 2018. “It’s how this game is. You’re not always on top. Rare few guys stay on top. There’s a lot of ups and downs. You got to them out ’em.
“He’s like a father to me,” Van Dyke said. “When I lost my dad, he kind of took over that role for me. I love him to death. I’ll do anything for that man.”If Smith couldn’t find the line first, there was no doubt who he hoped would do the winning. “He’d holler at me when I touched the thermostat, but other than that, he was great,” said Van Dyke with a laugh.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bryce Miller: Globe-hopping jockey Rachel King touches four continents at Breeders’ CupAustralia-based, Brit-born rider aboard Japanese horse on U.S. soil in Juvenile Turf
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Rick Sutcliffe, Alex Bregman share baseball, Breeders’ Cup dreamsThe pair discussed ties to San Diego through Padres, Ted Williams at Del Mar
Read more »
Bryce Miller: British musician Charles Costa tests limits on Pacific Coast TrailSkiing accident a decade ago shaped path to 90 marathons in 90 days
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Fortunes, perceptions of Padres boss A.J. Preller change in a hurryPresident of Baseball Operations, who flipped script on dismal 2023, faces real test next season
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Del Mar-based Great Friends mine great luck with two horses in Breeders’ CupGroup formed 17 years ago hits big time with Raging Torrent, So There She Was
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Season lessons from Victor Rodriguez, Ruben Niebla become critical against DodgersFront-line coaches help build 93-win season, but Game 1 winner L.A. offers stern test
Read more »