Mike Smith takes off 'Bird for Belmont

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by CSC

They were good rides, it would be less than credible to even infer they weren't, however in the long run the chances of good rides diminishes IMO.

You make it sound like guys like Gomez, Dominguez, Prado (whoever you are considering top tier jockeys) are incapable of giving a bum ride. Whoever gets him next probably won't have to worry about navigating around 12 or 18 other horses, the way Borel and Smith did. But reguardless, he seems to be a nice horse (I'll admit I was wrong and thought that he would be off the board at Pimlico) and reguardless who is on him I think he has a good shot in NY if he runs.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

You make it sound like guys like Gomez, Dominguez, Prado (whoever you are considering top tier jockeys) are incapable of giving a bum ride. Whoever gets him next probably won't have to worry about navigating around 12 or 18 other horses, the way Borel and Smith did. But reguardless, he seems to be a nice horse (I'll admit I was wrong and thought that he would be off the board at Pimlico) and reguardless who is on him I think he has a good shot in NY if he runs.

Riding at Belmont is alot different than riding at other tracks, being that it is a 1 1/2 oval. Regardless of what I believe, given that N.Y boasts a very deep Jockey colony I have no trouble asserting that Mine That Bird will not be hurt by Smith's departure. I see the obvious names have been mentioned already but you could name any of the top current 9 in the standings and you would probably gain something on the Jockey change. Borel is good at CD, but did anyone watch him at Oaklawn? Personally I would love to see Lezcano get the chance on the big stage, his style would suit MTB's preferred running style.

[gales0678]

I would use the Mig - Richard Miglore

[jpops757]

Originally Posted by CSC

Riding at Belmont is alot different than riding at other tracks, being that it is a 1 1/2 oval. Regardless of what I believe, given that N.Y boasts a very deep Jockey colony I have no trouble asserting that Mine That Bird will not be hurt by Smith's departure. I see the obvious names have been mentioned already but you could name any of the top current 9 in the standings and you would probably gain something on the Jockey change. Borel is good at CD, but did anyone watch him at Oaklawn? Personally I would love to see Lezcano get the chance on the big stage, his style would suit MTB's preferred running style.

He won several riding titles at Hot Springs before he moved to CD. Very few times taking Borel of would be an upgrade, Wy is it so popular to downgrade him? If he has the horse he knows where the lilly pads are and will help a horse win the race either in thr lead or closing.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by jpops757

He won several riding titles at Hot Springs before he moved to CD. Very few times taking Borel of would be an upgrade, Wy is it so popular to downgrade him? If he has the horse he knows where the lilly pads are and will help a horse win the race either in thr lead or closing.

That's fair, all I can use is what I saw of him this spring and he was mediocre from what I saw, though I may sound like a jock basher I'm not really. I respect what these guys do.