California Racing

blackthroatedwind · #1 11-28-2011, 10:13 AM

Maybe I'm missing something, and I really don't see enough day to day racing to be fair, but every time I see Rosario I am unimpressed. His ride in the Citation on Saturday was too bad for him to be considered one of the best riders in the country. He's young, and may well end up the best of the best, but I doubt he is right now.

asudevil · #2 11-28-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Maybe I'm missing something, and I really don't see enough day to day racing to be fair, but every time I see Rosario I am unimpressed. His ride in the Citation on Saturday was too bad for him to be considered one of the best riders in the country. He's young, and may well end up the best of the best, but I doubt he is right now.

Key phrase being "he's young"...At times he is brilliant, but there is still a good amount of immaturity.

iamthelurker · #3 11-28-2011, 04:54 PM

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

RockHardTen1985 · #4 11-28-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

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

I agree. In order I would make it JV, Ramon, Javier, Leparoux and then I really dont know who else. I think those are the top 4 though.

MaTH716 · #5 11-28-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I agree. In order I would make it JV, Ramon, Javier, Leparoux and then I really dont know who else. I think those are the top 4 though.

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.

#6 11-28-2011, 06:52 PM

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

RockHardTen1985 · #7 11-28-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

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.

MaTH716 · #8 11-29-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

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.

NTamm1215 · #9 11-28-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

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.

Personality · #10 11-28-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

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 · #11 11-28-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

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 · #12 11-28-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

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 · #13 11-28-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

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 · #14 11-28-2011, 10:36 PM

This is so great. Like an early Christmas present.