Velazquez has ridden like a wash-up ever since he took the fall at Keeneland.
I'll give him credit for make an effort to atleast try and save ground once on Circular Quay....though, he did get wiped out that one time at the Fairgrounds....and, as a heavy favorite, that was one of the few times when making that effort probably wasn't the wisest option.
There was a time, right before he joined with Pletcher (Smith was riding mostly for Pletcher) when JRV had sustained dazzling ROI numbers over a stretch of years--he dropped off a little once he hooked up with Pletcher, but his winning percentage rose sharply.
I don't know about Irwin's story, but I'd rather have Gomez as well. Not that it would matter.
|