LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — The jockey who won the Preakness this past Saturday has a big connection to Tampa Bay.
- Preakness jockey winner from Pasco County
- Tyler Gaffalione a former student at Sunlake High
- Gaffalione a former football player
Tyler Gaffalione, 24, was a student at Sunlake High School in Land O' Lakes.
Before getting a win atop War of Will in one of the most famous horse races in the world, he was actually part of the Sunlake football team.
Coach Bill Browning couldn't believe the name of the rider when he found out who won the Preakness.
"I was pretty much in shock. I knew he was doing well as a jockey. When I found out I was very excited for him," Browning said.
Browning says Gaffalione always stood out to him, though for a different reason than you may think.
"We had him listed in the football program as 145 pounds. Scale was off that day. He probably wasn't even 100 pounds dripping wet," Browning said.
Browning says Gaffalione didn't let his small size get in his way.
"That's who he is. Didn't listen to naysayers. He just wanted to compete," Browning said.
Gaffalione, who his teammates called "Gaff," played wide receiver and cornerback. He was actually part of Sunlake's first ever playoff team in 2011.
Horse racing ended up being his true calling. He rode that competitive nature all the way to a win in the Triple Crown, atop War of Will.
"You always want to see former athletes do well. And of course to do something at the national level is just outstanding," Browning said.
Gaffalione had the fastest Preakness time since 2007. His home track is Gulfstream in South Florida.