Gomez on Wait A While

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I disagree. It is the responsibility of the jockey to do what is right for the owners of the multi-million dollar piece of horse flesh he is riding. Bettors know that the risk of betting a top horse to show is that if it isn't in contention to win it will not be pushed hard through the line. If they don't then they are very naive as to the realities of the business of this sport. We know fully well that horses are cranked up for specific races and factor that into capping. Do you suggest we suspend any trainer for entering a horse that isn't fully cranked up because it is a wagering event?

We should have stewards that make these calls and dole out proper punishment. I believe the jockey's responsibility is not with the owner at all once the starting gate opens, it is with the racing authority and bettor. If it is a prep race, then there should be a stewards announcement and the bettors can do what they will with the information. In the end, regardless of how much an animal's supposed worth is, it is just a number that has been wagered on when they open the gates. You can't give free passes to "good" horses.

[horseofcourse]

More duplicity on these boards, I can't tell you how many times I have read criticism of jockeys beating animals down the stretch when they have no chance...even Graham I read was criticised by one for whipping Sumwonlovesyou Wednesday. Now Gomez sits chilly on Wait A While without a chance to win and the opposite criticism takes a fever pitch. Simple answer...if you don't want to lose money...don't bet. Should Santos have been suspended for a year for pulling up the BC distaff favorite last year or are serious leg injuries good enough reason to not ride her hard??? Would jockeys avoid punishment for that?? Where do you draw the line?? After all, he didn't ride her hard after the injury and people bet enough money on her to make her the favorite. Should he be punished??

This thread is riduculous.

[PPerfectfan]

If Wait A While was laboring on the surface, why beat the hell out of her when she is running in place to start with? I am all for a jockey making the effort with a mount but I will tell you that if one of my horses was beat, skating all over the surface, and my jock was beating the hell out of them, they would have more to fear from me than Peta!!

[philcski]

I for one thought she was going to be very tough to beat in the race, and just didn't take to the poly at ALL. She looked terrible, there was no reason to whip her or even ride her hard.