PVal Back In Cali

[Travis Stone]

He's been riding at Louisiana Downs the past few seasons... he still rides well, looks like a top-class rider and rarely (if ever) put a bad ride on a horse.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

He's been riding at Louisiana Downs the past few seasons... he still rides well, looks like a top-class rider and rarely (if ever) put a bad ride on a horse.

Travis, you see him more than anyone here, in your opinion does he still possess the drive and aggression that once made him one of the best riders in the game? By that I mean, some riders lose it after riding so many years in the game. Ie. Solis. P Val to me has always looked like a guy that loved what he was doing and to me he would ride until he was 70 if the body was able.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by CSC

Travis, you see him more than anyone here, in your opinion does he still possess the drive and aggression that once made him one of the best riders in the game? By that I mean, some riders lose it after riding so many years in the game. Ie. Solis. P Val to me has always looked like a guy that loved what he was doing and to me he would ride until he was 70 if the body was able.

La. Downs does not have top class racing by any stretch. He was out there with the rest of them - riding $5k claimers and trying hard. Does that make him a top class rider? No, but he has to make a living like everyone else.

It's interesting when you call races... you notice two types of riders... the really good ones, and the horrendous ones. I remember a few distinct things about P-Val... if he makes the lead, he knows how to back the horse down. Rarely did he set insanely fast paces while on the lead. He looks very "streamlined" in the saddle relative to his peers here.

The second, and this is inconsequential, but he had a hard time rating really head-strong horses. I think that's just because he had a few instances where the horse went nuts on him, not anything related to his ability, but none the less I noticed.

For what it's worth... what I've noticed at LAD over the past few years... I was lucky to call Joe Talamo's first win (he almost blew it) and he was one who stood out right from the start. Francisco Torres never seemed to be in a bad spot. Anna Roberts knows how to relax a horse on the lead, she just has to finish better, and she's getting better in that regard. Richard Eramia always seems to put horses in the right spots. Finally, Iram Diego is underrated.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

La. Downs does not have top class racing by any stretch. He was out there with the rest of them - riding $5k claimers and trying hard. Does that make him a top class rider? No, but he has to make a living like everyone else.

It's interesting when you call races... you notice two types of riders... the really good ones, and the horrendous ones. I remember a few distinct things about P-Val... if he makes the lead, he knows how to back the horse down. Rarely did he set insanely fast paces while on the lead. He looks very "streamlined" in the saddle relative to his peers here.

The second, and this is inconsequential, but he had a hard time rating really head-strong horses. I think that's just because he had a few instances where the horse went nuts on him, not anything related to his ability, but none the less I noticed.

For what it's worth... what I've noticed at LAD over the past few years... I was lucky to call Joe Talamo's first win (he almost blew it) and he was one who stood out right from the start. Francisco Torres never seemed to be in a bad spot. Anna Roberts knows how to relax a horse on the lead, she just has to finish better, and she's getting better in that regard. Richard Eramia always seems to put horses in the right spots. Finally, Iram Diego is underrated.

Great info, that's interesting I always thought that was one of his more unique talents horses seemed to relax for him where other riders struggled to control a horse. As a bettor I always liked how he would push the envelope out there, not to the point of hurting another rider, but he would ride a horse with pure intimidation. You better not go up the rail if you were going to beat him, and it would not be beyond a stretch for him to subtly knock you off stride to get an edge. I agree about Torres, he's a good rider, though at times he can be inconsistent when he isn't in the mood.

[10 pnt move up]

I look forward to overbet Pval horses on the front end at Del Mar........it should be a winning combination.

[Patrick333]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

La. Downs does not have top class racing by any stretch. He was out there with the rest of them - riding $5k claimers and trying hard. Does that make him a top class rider? No, but he has to make a living like everyone else.

It's interesting when you call races... you notice two types of riders... the really good ones, and the horrendous ones. I remember a few distinct things about P-Val... if he makes the lead, he knows how to back the horse down. Rarely did he set insanely fast paces while on the lead. He looks very "streamlined" in the saddle relative to his peers here.

The second, and this is inconsequential, but he had a hard time rating really head-strong horses. I think that's just because he had a few instances where the horse went nuts on him, not anything related to his ability, but none the less I noticed.

For what it's worth... what I've noticed at LAD over the past few years... I was lucky to call Joe Talamo's first win (he almost blew it) and he was one who stood out right from the start. Francisco Torres never seemed to be in a bad spot. Anna Roberts knows how to relax a horse on the lead, she just has to finish better, and she's getting better in that regard. Richard Eramia always seems to put horses in the right spots. Finally, Iram Diego is underrated.

Thanks for the information Travis. It's good to know that he seems to still have it.

[Indian Charlie]

I think this whole notion about Pval being a pure speed jock is maybe a bit misplaced.

Yes, he was a great speed jockey, but the thing is, he was always one of the very few intelligent riders, and he realized that a horse with an easy lead type of trip had a huge advantage.

I really doubt he sent horses because that's the only way he knew how to ride.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I think this whole notion about Pval being a pure speed jock is maybe a bit misplaced.

Yes, he was a great speed jockey, but the thing is, he was always one of the very few intelligent riders, and he realized that a horse with an easy lead type of trip had a huge advantage.

I really doubt he sent horses because that's the only way he knew how to ride.

What do you know, you are uselful here at times.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by CSC

What do you know, you are uselful here at times.

I have this rare ability to see things as they really are, unlike most people, who see things the way they want to see things.

But thank you!

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by CSC

What do you know, you are uselful here at times.

I'm sure IC hopes to someday be able to return the favor with a similar comment.

Fingers crossed for ya.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Patrick333

It's good to know that he seems to still have it.

Yeah.

And if he ever doesn't have it, he can stick to being perennial master of ceremonies of the annual Gay Pride Parade in NYC. Which would then go a long way towards explaining the man-love thing going on, here and on other forums, for this no talent druggie. Sort of puts the lives of others' in perspective, whenever a PVAL thread pops --- a very regular occurrence.

I'm just continually perplexed why ANYTHING this bum does would be of interest to anyone --- let alone this ongoing fixation with him by so many.

[Indian Charlie]

I am now wondering if TFM is a regular church goer.

[the_fat_man]

On cue: my MUZZLED BITCH shows up.

ha ha ha

[CSC]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Yeah.

And if he ever doesn't have it, he can stick to being perennial master of ceremonies of the annual Gay Pride Parade in NYC. Which would then go a long way towards explaining the man-love thing going on, here and on other forums, for this no talent druggie. Sort of puts the lives of others' in perspective, whenever a PVAL thread pops --- a very regular occurrence.

I'm just continually perplexed why ANYTHING this bum does would be of interest to anyone --- let alone this ongoing fixation with him by so many.

If Tyler can win out there and I know you think he is improved under Vic's guidance, then P Val should win his share. It is a story whether he deserves a 5th or 100th chance, especially if he can crack the top 3. No one is going to beat Rosario and Rapheal at the moment, they seem to get all the best mounts; however 3rd or 4th at the Delmar meet is an accomplishment if one asks me for an apparently washed up bum.