El Paso's own Jerry Bailey, a Hall of Fame jockey and Coronado High School graduate, is set to bring his expertise to NBC Sports as an analyst for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16. This is a full-circle moment for a man who honed his skills not on the grand stages of Kentucky or New York, but at the Sunland Park racetrack, where his journey in the saddle first began.

Though born in Dallas, Bailey's roots run deep in El Paso. His father, Dr. Jim Bailey, moved his pediatric dental practice to the city in 1962, a decision he credits for his son's remarkable career. The elder Bailey once recalled how, in his son's youth, people would ask, "Are you Doc Bailey's son?" Today, the tables have turned. It's now common for the well-known dentist to hear, "Are you Jerry Bailey's father?"

Bailey's rise to the top was anything but ordinary. At just 18 years old, he was already turning heads with a story that defied the typical jockey narrative. In a 1976 interview with the El Paso Times, he was described as having an "angelic quality," driving a brand-new cherry-red Cadillac with plaid interior—purchased, fittingly, from Bailey Cadillac, an uncle's business. While his father fixed smiles and his uncle sold luxury cars, Jerry found his calling in the saddle.

"I really can't explain this ability I have with horses," Bailey said at the time. "I just know I click with horses. Sometimes I'll be on a horse with bad habits, but I'll sweet-talk him and pat him on the neck. It's the way you talk to them, the tone of your voice." That natural connection, combined with hard work and a dash of charisma, propelled him from the dusty tracks of Sunland Park to the winner's circle at the world's most prestigious races.

Now, as he steps into the broadcast booth for the Preakness, Bailey brings a lifetime of experience that every fan—and every rider—can learn from. Whether you're chasing your own dreams in the saddle or just looking for the perfect gear to match your passion, his story reminds us that success often starts with a simple bond: between a rider, a horse, and a little bit of heart.