Quay confirmed for Preakness

[hockey2315]

- Pletcher wouldn't run this horse unless he had a VERY good chance to atleast hit the board. . . He was so embarassed after the Derby that I don't think he'd subject himself to more criticism unless he thought he had a good shot for CQ to silence the haters. . .

- While I don't think the pace is going to be as fast as some do, it looks on paper like it could set up for him

- The shorter distance should suit him nicely as well. . .

I'll be using Hard Spun and CQ in my pick bets

From drf.com

As expected, jockey John Velazquez wound up on Circular Quay, and Garrett Gomez, the leading rider in the country, picked up the mount on King of the Roxy. But, it wasn't as simple as it sounds.

Barry Irwin, the head of the Team Valor syndicate which owns King of the Roxy, said he contacted the Pimlico stewards about making Velazquez honor his earlier commitment to ride King of the Roxy. According to Irwin, the stewards said they could, if Irwin wanted them to. But then Irwin said he sent an e-mail to his Team Valor partners asking if they should make Velazquez and his agent, Angel Cordero Jr., honor their commitment. Secondly, Irwin asked his partners, who should ride King of the Roxy if not Velazquez?

"It was 2 to 1 to not ride Velazquez," Irwin said. "Basically, people did not trust the situation and did not want to have a guy ride for us whose heart wasn't in it. And, they voted 100 percent to ride Gomez."

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Spendabuck85

From drf.com

As expected, jockey John Velazquez wound up on Circular Quay, and Garrett Gomez, the leading rider in the country, picked up the mount on King of the Roxy. But, it wasn't as simple as it sounds.

Barry Irwin, the head of the Team Valor syndicate which owns King of the Roxy, said he contacted the Pimlico stewards about making Velazquez honor his earlier commitment to ride King of the Roxy. According to Irwin, the stewards said they could, if Irwin wanted them to. But then Irwin said he sent an e-mail to his Team Valor partners asking if they should make Velazquez and his agent, Angel Cordero Jr., honor their commitment. Secondly, Irwin asked his partners, who should ride King of the Roxy if not Velazquez?

"It was 2 to 1 to not ride Velazquez," Irwin said. "Basically, people did not trust the situation and did not want to have a guy ride for us whose heart wasn't in it. And, they voted 100 percent to ride Gomez."

Let's hope that Gomez gives KOTR a better ride than the one he gave Steppenwolfer today.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

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.

[sumitas]

SS was the perfect horse for the perfect rider this KD. i agree with Bobby F.; CQ lost a lot while SS was cruising by and he'll be a factor this Sat. thanks for posting that with comments BF.

[sumitas]

CQ also fits the 2nd off a layoff profile and that is a good spot for him to be in for the Preakness...if he's 100%.