California Racing

I think Hollywood Park did a good job with the card they offered thanksgiving weekend.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

Am I the only one who thinks Johnny V is without question the best rider in the nation?

There has been a huge turnaround in Johnny since Saratoga 2010 I think. He is willing to save ground and get out of his comfort zone, especially on turf, and it has helped him immensely.

Look at his two winning rides at this year's Breeders' Cup. Prior to 2010 JV was notorious for mailing it in on longshots or horses who it seemed like he thought were overmatched. He'd do stupid things on them like send them to the lead when they had no speed or bury them with hopelessly wide trips. He rode Perfect Shirl incredibly well and his ride on Stephanie's Kitten was arguably better.

I like Garrett Gomez but he has become more inconsistent as the years have gone by and if not for a great 2010 Breeders' Cup he'd have had a career worst year. His experiment at Monmouth was a disaster, he was replaced aboard his top 3YO after the Derby, and he had a lower win percentage at Saratoga than Desormeaux, Garcia, Dominguez, Castellano, and Velazquez.

When the chips are down and you need a big ride, to me it's Johnny V.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

I think Julien Leparoux is in the discussion, especially if you like your horse strangled back.

FTFY

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I have a love/hate thing with Leparoux although to be honest it's mostly hate. Not that I don't think he's a very talented rider, but I think his penchant for trying to turn many of the horses he rides into closers bothers me. But, this is what generally works on synth/turf, so there is a reason he rides like that.

He's like Pat Day part deux for me. When I bet him he just misses and when I don't he usually seems to beat me.

Ditto.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Personally, even though I'm not a big fan of his, I think I would put Gomez in front of Javy and Frenchy on your little list there.

Gomez was but not latley. What has he done? I dont recall JV being replaced on Triple Crown horses..... I do recall JV winning 2 BC races this year, and the Derby.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I almost changed my avatar to Coaltown last night to see if i could get an answer to that.

Dixie is that you?

Originally Posted by Personality

Well Jim and I always thought Coaltown was better. Obviously we were all wrong.

Calumet always had a few in the barn that were supposedly better than their current Derby winner. Unfortunately most never ran or were off. Although Deluxe did run Ponder won the Derby and Deluxe was the horse. Same story with Bardstown, York, etc. With Real Delight it was Bubbley. Whirly, Hill Gail and Tim Tam pretty much shut up all the would be geniuses.

That answers that.

[Personality]

Originally Posted by impeller

Am I the only one who thinks Johnny V is without question the best rider in the nation?

Certainly not and the stats support his alleged ability and your opinion.

I just do not use stats or times in evaluating anything pertaining to this business.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Personality

Certainly not and the stats support his alleged ability and your opinion.

I just do not use stats or times in evaluating anything pertaining to this business.

The stats dont back anything up. The stats say he is one of the best. 2 BC wins and the Kentucky Derby. Thats just this year. Another big thing for him is that none of the wins I mentioned this year were for Todd. He branches out and still does well.

[Personality]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

The stats dont back anything up. The stats say he is one of the best. 2 BC wins and the Kentucky Derby. Thats just this year. Another big thing for him is that none of the wins I mentioned this year were for Todd. He branches out and still does well.

???????

I think I'm a little out of my depth on here.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Personality

???????

I think I'm a little out of my depth on here.

Even if we dont call JV #1, to suggest that any of the 3 you mentioned from Cali are better then JV is silly in my opinion. JV is more accomplised then any of them and is still in the prime of his career.

[Dahoss]

This is so great. Like an early Christmas present.

[Personality]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

This is so great. Like an early Christmas present.

Sorry it was so short buddy but I will not tolerate that dwarf's cheap shots and inaccurate posts that are nothing more than sick speculation.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Personality

Sorry it was so short buddy but I will not tolerate that dwarf's cheap shots and inaccurate posts that are nothing more than sick speculation.

I hear ya pal. Nothing worse than someone posting inaccurate stuff based on some sort of sick fantasy they have built up in their head.

Steve should ban him and beg you to stay. I'll call him now and try and put in a good word.

[dagolfer33]

Nobody has mentioned Gerard Melancon.

[Personality]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I hear ya pal. Nothing worse than someone posting inaccurate stuff based on some sort of sick fantasy they have built up in their head.

Steve should ban him and beg you to stay. I'll call him now and try and put in a good word.

Good luck with that if you are not being sarcastic. Either way I wish you well.

Unfortunately I do not know if you have a history with that mutt.

Steve's a good guy when it's all said and done. He takes a lot of bad raps and the guy is just trying to earn a living.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Personality

Good luck with that if you are not being sarcastic. Either way I wish you well.

Unfortunately I do not know if you have a history with that mutt.

Steve's a good guy when it's all said and done. He takes a lot of bad raps and the guy is just trying to earn a living.

I'm serious my good man. I called Steve but he was too busy going through the dictionary looking for more words to use to confuse that other mutt GPK. I'll let you know if I get anywhere with this.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

Nobody has mentioned Gerard Melancon.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Gomez was but not latley. What has he done? I dont recall JV being replaced on Triple Crown horses..... I do recall JV winning 2 BC races this year, and the Derby.

I never said that I would put him ahead of JV, but if I had to choose between Gomez, Julien and Javy, I would take Gomez. Even though it seemed that he had a below par year, I still think that he's a big race rider.