newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JERRY MILANI

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

When fans think of sports agents, high-profile power brokers like Scott Boras, Drew Rosenhaus and Arn Tellem come to mind. Those "superagents" regularly negotiate million-dollar, guaranteed contracts for superstar athletes, often in team sports, and in some cases are as famous as the players themselves.

In the world of horse racing, the formula is a bit different. And no one knows better the challenges that jockeys face than Lodi High School and Rutgers University graduate Drew Mollica, who has represented some of the biggest names in the "sport of kings."

"The jockey agent is more like a theatrical agent," explains Mollica, 51. "He must look for the horses, tracks and timing that will be most appropriate for the particular jockey, which is different for each one. A jockey's life is hard; they have no days off, they earn what they win, and it can all be over in a minute – the ambulance can be just around the next turn, and they know it."

Juggling those responsibilities in the world of horse racing means knowing as much as possible about as many horses, trainers, jockeys, tracks, race officials, and – yes – politicians, as he can.

For Mollica, that has been a way of life since he worked his way, by what could be termed "accidental design," into his first opportunity, with a young jockey named Chris Antley.

The circuitous path that led Mollica to represent the likes of Antley, Angel Cordero Jr., Pat Day, "Jersey Joe" Bravo and Jose Santos started with his 1970's upbringing in Lodi and a life-long love of the racetrack first instilled by his father.

"At that time, Lodi was an Italian, close-knit community, and one of the 'rites of passage' was going to the racetrack with your father," remembers Mollica. "I sometimes say that my father 'never met a favorite he didn't like.' We would go to Yonkers, Roosevelt, and a trip to Monmouth Park was a big deal. I don't think my father thought he was setting my career path by taking me to the races, but that's kind of how it worked out."

Mollica began his career in the sport as a journalist for The Racing Form, honing the skills he learned at Rutgers. He gives particular credit to Roger Cohen, a professor who he says stood out even among the strong group of educators he encountered at the New Brunswick campus.

"Roger Cohen is a good man who helped out a lot of students, and has been a mentor to me ever since my college days," says Mollica. "I would not have been a success in life without his guidance – not just what he taught me in terms of writing, but because he made me believe that a 'schnook' kid from Lodi could do whatever he wanted with enough hard work."

Mollica continued at The Racing Form until he had the chance to serve as a racing official, first in Chicago, briefly closer to home at Monmouth Park, then in several different states. For a 20-something bachelor who loved the sport, it was an ideal life. Then, just as he thought he would be moving into a position at the Meadowlands, the job fell through – the vagaries of politics the likely culprit, according to Mollica.

At something of a crossroads, Mollica surveyed the landscape and began to realize that jockey agents could make a better living than officials, given the right situation. He started representing a young jockey, Doug Thomas. Though Thomas was injured soon after their partnership began, Mollica caught on with Antley, then an unknown who had had limited success in South Carolina and Maryland tracks before coming to the Garden State.

It turned out to be the perfect storm for both parties. Mollica and Antley became fast friends, almost like brothers, says Mollica, and with his new young agent helping to find the right situations, Antley's career soared.

On Halloween 1987, he became the first jockey to ride nine winners in one day (four at Aqueduct, five at the Meadowlands). Antley went on to win the Kentucky Derby on Strike the Gold (1991) and Charismatic (1999) and the Preakness, also on Charismatic (1999). Tragically, Antley's career and life would be cut short, largely by drugs; 18 months after his triumphant comeback victories at Churchill Downs and Pimlico, he would die in California.

Opportunities to represent other top jockeys found their way to Mollica, more than his actively seeking them. Soon he was working with Cordero, Santos, and, later, Bravo and Day, along with others, juggling the unique needs and personalities of each.

"I never had to apply for a job as an agent," explains Mollica. "Everything was done by handshake agreements, and all of the opportunities came through the synergy of being there. There was no formal way that things happened, they just kind of fell into place."

As much as he enjoyed that life, Mollica had other ambitions. Three years ago, he decided to leave the full-time horse racing game, enrolling in law school at Hofstra University on Long Island, close to his present Garden City, N.Y., home. He is now about a year short of his degree and expects to take the bar exam next summer.

In many ways, for Mollica, his new career path has been like starting all over again. His lofty position in the horse racing world has meant nothing when assignments have been due in school or when he has had to prepare briefs for the Federal judge for whom he clerks.

He even leaves open the possibility that the worlds could intersect. Mollica sees racing administrative law as a growing area, with government regulation, OTB disputes, drug testing and suspensions and other related situations occurring throughout the industry. He feels that as a lawyer who has lived in this world, he could carve a unique niche in the field.

While he is changing careers, horse racing still remains an important part of Mollica's life. He is a frequent participant in seminars and events like the "Saratoga Preview Power Lunch" at Gallagher's Steak House in Manhattan on Tuesday. Legendary Meadowlands track announcer Dave Johnson and three noted racing journalists will join him on the panel. Mollica was in similar events previewing the Triple Crown races in May, and enjoys the opportunity to connect with racing fans.

"It's not often that fans can connect with people in the sport in this way," says Mollica. "I took my son to a Ron Darling luncheon at Gallagher's a couple of weeks ago as a fan, and I think I gained a new appreciation for how valuable these kinds of events are. We usually get 100 to 200 fans at these, and they are very knowledgeable. I think it is important to give back to the sport, and this is a good way to do so."

Mollica has a special pace in his heart for Monmouth Park, whose history at the Shore dates back nearly 140 years. For Mollica, it was the site of many thrilling victories and even some memorable defeats.

"The management there are top-shelf people who do a brilliant job," he notes. "They've gone out and gotten Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird, and others. New Jersey has a great racetrack, one of the true jewels of racing, and they should do everything they can to keep it going."

The career change at an age when most executives are nearing the top of their fields – and earning power – has another important purpose for Mollica.

"At 51, being at the precipice of graduating law school and taking the bar have empowered me to show my children that anything is possible if you work hard - and anyone who chooses law school will definitely have to work hard. I've been blessed: I've been able to clerk for a Federal judge, I've been published in the New York Law Journal, and I've had lunch with Supreme Court Justice [Samuel] Alito. My career in horse racing gave me the opportunity to do radio on WFAN and TV on ESPN and NBC.

"Both lives have given me great memories."