ESPN Horse Racing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day said he won't ride in the Kentucky Derby because he's still recovering from hip surgery, ending a record 21-year streak of Derby mounts.

Day, who has ridden in every Derby since 1984 and won aboard 16-1 long shot Lil E. Tee in 1992, said Friday he hopes to resume racing a few days after next Saturday's Derby, and would like to get a mount for the Preakness Stakes on May 21.

Earlier Friday, Churchill Downs said Day had been medically cleared to start riding again.

Day, the sport's all-time money earning jockey and fourth among American riders in victories with 8,780, had surgery March 30 to repair cartilage in his right hip.

Day said he's ahead of schedule in his recovery and that his hip felt fine. But he said his legs were sore from daily physical therapy.

"It just became reality to me to try to be ready mentally and physically ... for the Derby, it was just out of the question,'' Day said.

Day, 51, said he wouldn't be tempted even if offered a ride in the Derby. "If I'm not right, I'm not right. It doesn't matter who's available,'' he said.

Day last rode at Gulfstream Park on March 5. He said watching the Derby will be "a little bittersweet.

"It's wonderful that we've been able to participate in 21 consecutive Derbys, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over the fact that we're not going to be able to extend that record,'' he added.

Day's first Derby mount was aboard 15th-place finisher Music Leader in 1982. He missed the 1983 Derby, then began his streak the next year aboard Vanlandingham, who finished 16th.

Watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC (Saturday at 5 p.m. ET).

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press