Jockey Colonies -- few real good ones are out there

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Pants II

No way a 49 year old in any athletic profession gets the majority of top "gigs"

How about the comeback Stevens made at age 50?

Mike Smith is currently 49 years old. He rode regularly at Canterbury Park in 1986, 1988. Amusingly, he finished one spot behind Ronnie Allen Jr. in the Canterbury jockey standings in 1988.

[rgustafson]

That got me thinking about another "old guy" still riding pretty good. In 1985, Canterbury's first year, Mike Smith, then 20, was leading rider. the late Ron Hansen was second and an 18 year old kid came up from down in Louisiana to finish third. Gerard Melancon, Geemoney, the king of the bayou. Not at the level of Smith of course but still making good money in the irons.

[Bogey]

The Gulfstream Park winter (Championship) meet is hands down the best jockey colony assembled throughout the year. They pretty much have the best riders from New York, Kentucky, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, and Canada.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Bogey

The Gulfstream Park winter (Championship) meet is hands down the best jockey colony assembled throughout the year. They pretty much have the best riders from New York, Kentucky, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, and Canada.

It's been Javier a clear 1st and Paco Lopez a clear 2nd at that meet, the last few years.

The problem with Paco Lopez, is that he's not getting in the NYRA barns during that meet at GP.

Javier's got Pletcher, Chad Brown, Shug, and even Maker down there.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It's been Javier a clear 1st and Paco Lopez a clear 2nd at that meet, the last few years.

The problem with Paco Lopez, is that he's not getting in the NYRA barns during that meet at GP.

Javier's got Pletcher, Chad Brown, Shug, and even Maker down there.

Who is better in your eyes Dougie....... Javier or Paco??
BTW Happy Birthday.

[Pants II]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

How about the comeback Stevens made at age 50?

Mike Smith is currently 49 years old. He rode regularly at Canterbury Park in 1986, 1988. Amusingly, he finished one spot behind Ronnie Allen Jr. in the Canterbury jockey standings in 1988.

Stevens is a cerebral rider in comparison to other jockeys. Same with Mike Smith.

That's not saying these guys are perfect. They're just reliable.

Now the question comparing how these jockeys would do against the colony in the 80's?

Great question. I'd imagine a few of them would be much, much better riders. Because if they didn't improve they wouldn't last long.