why does Mike Smith get so much bash on forums?

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by handicapperernie

On forums, so many people like to bash him for his rides. I can understand the disappointment for his rides on Zenyatta, Bodemeister, Paynter, and now Hansen. I don't think people either dislike his riding style or people just forget his prime was back in the 1990's. Even though I wasn't around to judge back in the 90's enough to judge. But in the 2000's I saw his riding style out in my back yard and saw what a great jockey he is. That's why he's in the Hall of Fame.

He's a living legend IMO and went on old YouTube videos and saw how amazing he was/is. The only time I was disappointed in him was with Zenyatta but his ride was 50-50 yesterday I think he had to be in a speed dual with hero of order and he had to have hansen be there.

I have to admit yes he can put in sometimes questionable rides but remember he's put in some amazing rides on Zenyatta, Royal Delta, amazombie, Azeri, and others. Skip away was also good and sky beauty and holly bull, the list goes on.

What am trying to say is just remember how great mike really is and yes mike is at the twilight of his career and his best years are behind him but he's still considered one of the best of all time. Has he peaked? Yes and is he passed his prime? Yes. But these days he chooses to ride quality not quantity. Since he's older.

He's a legend.

Mike? Is that you??

[10 pnt move up]

It takes a real handicapping genius to come up with the ride that was Hansen's issue last week.

I thought his worst ride all summer was on Royal Delta two weeks ago, yet the horse won so not a peep about it really.

Just heard on the net that mike is going to ride royal delta in the personal ensign over mr commons who will go in on the same day in the del mar mile

[Calzone Lord]

I can never figure out why people care so much about jockeys.

Smith is way overrated at this stage of his career. He's losing triple the takeout over his last several hundred rides.

Junior Alvarado just won 4 stakes races at Saratoga last weekend -- and he didn't even ride in a lot of others like the Whitney and Vanderbilt...but you'll never read anyone write a word about him...because people who waste time with jockeys often know almost nothing about horses and only focus on the handful of fashionable big name jockeys.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Junior Alvarado just won 4 stakes races at Saratoga last weekend -- and he didn't even ride in a lot of others like the Whitney and Vanderbilt...but you'll never read anyone write a word about him...because people who waste time with jockeys often know almost nothing about horses and only focus on the handful of fashionable big name jockeys.

I'm not sure I buy into the hype with him, but I'm very possibly biased because of experiences I've had betting him. . . feels like a poor man's Leparoux--takes horses way too far back a lot of the time, but looks good when things fall in his lap or when he has a horse with enough speed to keep itself close.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I'm not sure I buy into the hype with him, but I'm very possibly biased because of experiences I've had betting him. . . feels like a poor man's Leparoux--takes horses way too far back a lot of the time, but looks good when things fall in his lap or when he has a horse with enough speed to keep itself close.

There's no hype at all on him.

He was by far the best jockey at Calder several years ago, got no looks at Gulfstream because he lost the bug right before the meet started.

He was by far the best jockey at Arlington Park, but still struggled to get top class mounts.

I think he's an outstanding front-end jockey and judge of pace with front end types...and he also is in the class of Dominguez, Lezcano, and Rosario on closing routers. If you look at his numbers since he's come to NY -- they're extremely impressive like they are everywhere else.

You don't become a fashionable big-name jockey until you start getting a lot of opportunities on top level horses. Everytime a big name mount is open, he's not landing them.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Junior Alvarado just won 4 stakes races at Saratoga last weekend -- and he didn't even ride in a lot of others like the Whitney and Vanderbilt...but you'll never read anyone write a word about him...because people who waste time with jockeys often know almost nothing about horses and only focus on the handful of fashionable big name jockeys.

Andy and I were just talking about him on radio.. 'in zone' said BTW. Agent Sellito no dope either lining up mounts beyond the close tie to Mott barn.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I can never figure out why people care so much about jockeys.

Smith is way overrated at this stage of his career. He's losing triple the takeout over his last several hundred rides.

Junior Alvarado just won 4 stakes races at Saratoga last weekend -- and he didn't even ride in a lot of others like the Whitney and Vanderbilt...but you'll never read anyone write a word about him...because people who waste time with jockeys often know almost nothing about horses and only focus on the handful of fashionable big name jockeys.