Gomez replaces Smith on Stardom Bound
 

This might be the funniest reason I've ever read for changing riders:

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=14680

NT

Does Iavarone honestly thinks SB has a shot at coming within 5 lengths of Zenyatta IF they ever meet?

Since Stardom Bound has zero chance in the Oaks or against Zenyatta, I don't think Smith will be missing much.

Their horse. They choose the jock. No problems.

That outfit, yea I am sure he does........of course fiction is often better then reality.

Filly doesn't need a new jock, or any jock. Needs time off to sort out what is bothering her - growth spurt coming, nerves, whatever. Quote from Bart Cummings (the greatest trainer now training, but he's in Australia) "Patience is the cheapest thing in racing."

Gotta Blame Someone, We All Know Its Not The Horse,

I saw this coming!!

She doesn't need time off, there's nothing wrong with her. Sometimes horses lose, that's all.

Although it's obvious she hasn't carried her superiority from age 2 to 3, it's certainly possible that she'll handle the Churchill surface better than Keenland.

I wouldn't think she's any more likely to beat Rachel Alexandra on May 1st, but I expect a little better showing than the Ashland. Getting Gomez can't hurt, either.

did i hear someone replaced him on chantel too?

Now that's just plain nasty. Wisful thinking onyour part?:)

yeah, cause ieah wouldn't shell out that kind of money for a horse that wasn't going to win a championship. they know what to buy.

speaking of which, who's picking patena for the derby?

There are far more Juvinile fillies who never progressed after their 2 year old season then ones that were able to improve as they got older. Countess Diana had a great 2 year old year and never won another stake. Stardom Bound was sold at the right time.

absolutely

Wait....hahahahahahaha, they really think......hahahaa, that 'Star has a shot to be anywhere within 10lenghts....hahahah of Zenyatta?? hahahahahah ok, ok seriously, what was the reason??? :zz:

well....whether or not she has a chance against Zenyatta, the change makes sense. Mike Smith will be on Zenyatta, and if their plan is the BC....might as well get her acquainted with a new jockey now rather than later.

She has done enough, time to send her to Empire Maker.

Saw this coming a mile away once SB lost at Keeneland. IEAH must be taking jockey advice from Larry jones/Fox Hill. Their last two big name jock changes (Ousting Pino on Hard Spun and Dominguez on Old Fashioned) worked very well.

It will be one and done for Gomez/Stardom Bound. By August IEAH will have trouble getting Oscar Gomez to ride Stardom Slowhorse.

Good. Now SB will take more dead $$ in the Oaks.

Does anyone think a jockey can make a horse run faster than she can already run. Bad trip, bad result. Last in Cali was a awaking, she ain't that good anymore. Flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

A couple of my friends are still trying to justify the $5.7mm purchase price.

IEAH will be applying for TARP money soon I'm thinking...

Sort of reminiscent to when Bailey took over for Smith on Cigar...

I served up a lob but no one bit....

So I'll say it, 15 in a row cannot be far behind..

If Stardom Bound becomes the next Cigar, you can dig-up this post, print it and I'll give you a $100 voucher.

Thnx, I think your hundred is very safe. ;)

Post of the year considerations

It is?

When Smith chose to get off to ride Devil His Due, and Bailey inherited the ride....but yea I can see how you say that.

10 Point, It was sort of a tongue in cheek comment. I think Stardom Bound is a nice horse to give her some credit but if IEAH thinks Gomez is going to radically improve this horse with the Jockey change, they are surely kidding themselves. So yes I was kind of half serious, half joking with that Cigar remark.

Stardom Bound is a stretch running sprinter in my book, won the Breeders Cup at a distance because of the surface and she has some ability.

I guess Iavarone is intending to run Stardom Bound in the Classic, because that's where I think Zenyatta will be. I saw this coming after the Ashland. Dutrow doesn't use Smith on anything so he was on borrowed time. I happen to like the filly since I saw her first start. Still do. I know that she has several detractors, but five grade 1's in a row is nothing to sneeze at.
Let's see if she gets pace on dirt in the Oaks and then decide. Maybe Laragh will be her rabbit!!!

My guess is she comes east. Prado will get the mount after Gomez and Anderson play mercenary throughout the summer. Smith may very well be back on her in October.

Does this encompass both racetrack and breeding shed?

i will be very surprised if they run her there, considering their comments last year when it came up. some camps are more than willing to run a filly/mare vs colts, while others are not. i think her people fit in the latter category.

Nobody really knows how many races he will actually be on her or if it will make any difference. Stardom Bound's recent defeat also didn't really have anything to do with Smith.
But still, can anybody really blame them for making that change? The business about the long-term plans and matchup with Zenyatta seems stupid, but does anybody doubt that Gomez is a better all-around rider than Smith? I know I don't. If they secretly think a jock-change will dramatically improve the horse's performance then, yeah, they are probably kidding themselves. But doesn't it make sense to go out and get the guy they think is the best? What am I missing?

i don't think anyone is questioning going to gomez...but it is funny to most from what i can tell that they are still pointing stardom bound to a matchup vs arguably the best horse on a synthetic track.

Perhaps they were just looking for a somewhat diplomatic way to switch to Gomez, and that is the excuse they came up with. If, on the other hand, they actually do think she can beat Zenyatta, well then yeah, I'd say it is a bit of semi-delusional wishful thinking.

that's probably what it is. but i'd imagine everyone, smith included, knows it's really just that-an excuse. if you can get gomez, you get him.

:tro: :tro: and that horse is going backwards fast..