Just in case anyone still thinks Prado can ride

[Bobby Fischer]

Prado is generally a solid jockey.

He generally sits a nice trip from gate to backstretch. He can get out of the gate and also race-ride others out of the gate.

If use of the whip were banned, only Jeremy Rose would benefit more than edgar. His slow deliberate action does little to rouse a horse. He probably gets as much from showing the whip as he does with his metronome action. With his left he is talented at getting a horse to swing to the outside when needed.

When Prado has much the best horse he wins his share. He very rarely wins with a worse horse than his competition. In other words he doesn't win surprising tactics or exploiting a track configuration or bias.

With certain types of horses on dirt, Prado can be counted on to preserve a top three finish.


In the replay of Contentious, he appears to allow Contentious to make headway too fast, almost as if he let out "too much". However I do not disagree with the idea of him making some gradual headway at that point. Contentious showed no response in the stretch and would not have won with any jockey, regardless of any toll that the headway on the backstretch.
We are bitching about the difference between 6th and 3rd or 4th. I do not see Contentious as contesting the top two spots in that lane. The #8 was the superior animal that day. You can see the #8 stampede at the break and secure a rail spot. Racing close to the pace he still finished well. The #5 had the superior kick that race, even accounting for rides. Contentious(#10) was simply not as good as either that day, no matter who or how we imagine a dream trip moving her up.