Chop Chop moves tack to SoCal

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Will this article do?

http://drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=76803&subs=0&arc=1

New character playing well

By DAVID GRENING
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Despite a resume that included more than 4,500 wins, three Eclipse Awards, and a bust in racing's Hall of Fame, jockey Kent Desormeaux this spring felt the need to reinvent himself. So he picked up his tack and his family, and made the cross-country trek from Southern California to New York.
Thus far, Desormeaux couldn't be happier with the results. Coming off a Belmont meet where he won 36 races - good enough for a fifth-place tie in the standings - Desormeaux enters his first full Saratoga meet riding high and full of confidence that he can return to the heights he achieved early in his career.

"I'm just excited things are working out the way I thought they would," Desormeaux said last week in the Belmont Park jockeys' room. "Just the fact I'm riding again - I'm really happy I'm riding six or seven every day. I'm just really happy. I'm having fun again."

Desormeaux, who has won two Kentucky Derbies and rode the favorite for this year's Derby, Sweetnorthernsaint, said he had developed a bad reputation in Southern California as someone who did not want to ride cheap horses, and that left him in the jocks' room too much.

"I was so bored and having to work harder and harder at maintaining my weight because I wasn't riding," Desormeaux said. "What I was riding was good, don't get me wrong. I'd ride two a day and one of them would win. It just wasn't enough. I didn't have enough business.

"I built the wrong character. I couldn't break the mold," Desormeaux added. "I would come by the barn and the guys would say, 'Oh, I don't have one good enough for you to ride.' I said, 'What? I'll ride the hair off a $10,000 claimer if you give me the chance.' So I was trying to break that character. I came to New York to reinvent myself."

Desormeaux began riding in New York in late March when Aqueduct's main track opened. He finished with 13 wins, which was good enough for a third-place tie in the jockey standings. He won his only New York stakes during that meet, the Grade 2 Comely aboard Miraculous Miss.

His work ethic caught the eye of agent Mike Sellito, who parted ways with Mike Smith to take over Desormeaux's book in mid-June.

"He's a great guy to work for," Sellito said. "He's a workaholic in the mornings. There's mornings he worked eight or nine horses. That's unheard of for a Hall of Fame jockey."

Sellito was not the only one to notice a change in Desormeaux. Garrett Gomez, who has ridden in Southern California the past few years with Desormeaux, also sees it.




"His attitude's changed a little bit," said Gomez, who is also riding his first Saratoga meet. "It seems like he's a little more serious, a little more focused and stuff like that. It's good to see. Maybe he just needed a change, I don't know."

Bobby Frankel, a Hall of Fame trainer, said he wasn't using Desormeaux out West. He has used him on several horses here, including three that won. Frankel named Desormeaux on two live runners for Wednesday's opening-day card, including the Grade 1 winner I'm the Tiger.

"He's a good rider," Frankel said. "Horses run for him, for sure. He's working hard now. He's a good athlete, he takes care of himself, he's still going."

Jimmy Jerkens has used Desormeaux a bit, and likes his aggressiveness. Jerkens will use Desormeaux on Oh So Awesome, a longshot in Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy.

"He makes things happen," Jerkens said.

Sellito admits that Desormeaux's stakes business is lacking, but is pleased with his day-to-day business. Desormeaux rode winners for 21 different trainers at Belmont. Desormeaux had seven calls on Wednesday and five on Thursday and hopes that support continues throughout the meet.

"I'm hopeful to make it back to the top tier [of] riders, and having a good Saratoga meet could go a long way toward doing that," Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux said that he is still battling his weight, though it's not for a lack of work.

"It's got everything to do with age and the body, and I thought the food was good in California, but man, it's better here," Desormeaux said. "Even the mom-and-pop Italian shop on the corner; that food is 100 miles better. Italian food here is better than it is in Italy."

In that article, you have Desormeaux telling you that the reason he wasn't getting the mounts was because he built the wrong character. What would you expect him to say? Did you think he would say that he wasn't getting the mounts because he's not as good Victor, Garret, P Val, etc.?

The whole thing is ridiculous. The other article you showed me was from 1995. It said that he was working his butt off going to the track every morning. That was back in 1995. Now we're in 2006 and he claims he has a reputation for not working hard enough and not wanting to ride cheap horses. If he's been going out in the mornings for the last 10 years and telling guys that he's happy to ride cheap horses, he's not going to have a reputation for not wanting to ride cheap horses. That's absurd. If you were a trainer and Desormeaux was coming to your barn every morning for years and telling you that he's happy to ride cheap horses would you refuse to put him on cheap horses and think he doesn't want to ride cheap horses? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. That's not the reason he wasn't getting mounts.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

In that article, you have Desormeaux telling you that the reason he wasn't getting the mounts was because he built the wrong character. What would you expect him to say? Did you think he would say that he wasn't getting the mounts because he's not as good Victor, Garret, P Val, etc.?

The whole thing is ridiculous. The other article you showed me was from 1995. It said that he was working his butt off going to the track every morning. That was back in 1995. Now we're in 2006 and he claims he has a reputation for not working hard enough and not wanting to ride cheap horses. If he's been going out in the mornings for the last 10 years and telling guys that he's happy to ride cheap horses, he's not going to have a reputation for not wanting to ride cheap horses. That's absurd. If you were a trainer and Desormeaux was coming to your barn every morning for years and telling you that he's happy to ride cheap horses would you refuse to put him on cheap horses and think he doesn't want to ride cheap horses? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. That's not the reason he wasn't getting mounts.

Do you want me to put up more?

Everyone that has any knowledge of the jock situation in So Cal knows all about Kent's problems with trainers. I forgot about the weight issue as well but that ties in with his reputation for being lazy. Everyone knows that his rep in So Cal was that he doesnt ride cheap horses. I have to seriously question how in touch with things you really are out there Rupert.

Kent is a hall of fame rider. I dont think i have to go over his resume. The trainers never questioned his ability to ride horses, they just grew tired of wondering if he was going to make weight, show up in the mornings or ride out to the wire. The trainers wouldnt have given him the amount of chances that they did without him being exceptional.

Calling a rider with that resume "average" and implying that he would get outridden by the likes of Juan Ochoa is just dumb.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Do you want me to put up more?

Everyone that has any knowledge of the jock situation in So Cal knows all about Kent's problems with trainers. I forgot about the weight issue as well but that ties in with his reputation for being lazy. Everyone knows that his rep in So Cal was that he doesnt ride cheap horses. I have to seriously question how in touch with things you really are out there Rupert.

Kent is a hall of fame rider. I dont think i have to go over his resume. The trainers never questioned his ability to ride horses, they just grew tired of wondering if he was going to make weight, show up in the mornings or ride out to the wire. The trainers wouldnt have given him the amount of chances that they did without him being exceptional.

Calling a rider with that resume "average" and implying that he would get outridden by the likes of Juan Ochoa is just dumb.

There are plenty of riders that aren't great that are in the Hall of Fame. Mike Smith is in the Hall of Fame. He's alright but he's not as good as the top guys. I would say the same thing about Desormeaux.

As I said before, if Desormeuax is going out there every morning and working his butt off, he's not going to have a reputation of being lazy. It doesn't make sense.

I can practically guarantee you that if I ask Ron Ellis and Richard Mandella the following question, that I know what their answer will be. I will ask them the following question: I noticed that you rarely ride Kent Desormeaux. Is it beacause you don't like his attitude or is it because you think the other riders you use are better riders? I guarantee you that they will say that they think these other riders are better.

I can guarantee you that Baffert would say the same thing. He would say that Gomez, Espinoza, etc. are better riders. I don't really know Baffert well enough to ask him but I could have a friend ask him.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

There are plenty of riders that aren't great that are in the Hall of Fame. Mike Smith is in the Hall of Fame. He's alright but he's not as good as the top guys. I would say the same thing about Desormeaux.

As I said before, if Desormeuax is going out there every morning and working his butt off, he's not going to have a reputation of being lazy. It doesn't make sense.

I can practically guarantee you that if I ask Ron Ellis and Richard Mandella the following question, that I know what their answer will be. I will ask them the following question: I noticed that you rarely ride Kent Desormeaux. Is it beacause you don't like his attitude or is it because you think the other riders you use are better riders? I guarantee you that they will say that they think these other riders are better.

I can guarantee you that Baffert would say the same thing. He would say that Gomez, Espinoza, etc. are better riders. I don't really know Baffert well enough to ask him but I could have a friend ask him.

You mean the same baffert that once said "There are ten jockeys out there that you would put up in the toughest situations and Kent is one of them" (paraphrasing for "ride of their lives'). Or are you talking about the same Mandella that put Kent on the best horse he ever had in Kotashaan? Or the same Baffert that put Kent up on mounts such as Real Quiet? Same Baffert? Did Kent suddenly forget how to ride? How come Kent could not only compete but WIN riding titles and George woolf awards when the names were McCarron, Stevens, Delahoussaye, Pincay, etc and suddenly he cant compete with the likes of David Cohen, Ochoa, the bazes or Arias? Do you think he suddenly cant ride anymore? Or do you think there might be other factors like the ones being pointed out in those articles?

Mike Smith is a perfect example. Can he still ride? Yes, although he is past his prime for sure. Kent is still in the midst of his.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

You mean the same baffert that once said "There are ten jockeys out there that you would put up in the toughest situations and Kent is one of them" (paraphrasing for "ride of their lives'). Or are you talking about the same Mandella that put Kent on the best horse he ever had in Kotashaan? Or the same Baffert that put Kent up on mounts such as Real Quiet? Same Baffert? Did Kent suddenly forget how to ride? How come Kent could not only compete but WIN riding titles and George woolf awards when the names were McCarron, Stevens, Delahoussaye, Pincay, etc and suddenly he cant compete with the likes of David Cohen, Ochoa, the bazes or Arias? Do you think he suddenly cant ride anymore? Or do you think there might be other factors like the ones being pointed out in those articles?

Mike Smith is a perfect example. Can he still ride? Yes, although he is past his prime for sure. Kent is still in the midst of his.

You could say the same thing about any rider who is not doing nearly as well as they used to. You could say, "Oh, it must be their attitude. They didn't forget how to ride."

I'm not saying that Kent is a bad rider. He's a decent rider but he's not as good as the top riders. He came out here and got hot for a while but after the trainers got a chance to watch to him for a long period of time, they didn't think he was that good. The same thing happened to Aaron Gryder in New York. He did very well for a while but after trainers got a chance to watch him ride for several years in New York, they decided that they thought a lot of the other jockeys were better.
By the way, I never said that Ochoa is better than Desormeaux. If Desormeaux was at Del Mar right now, I think he would be well ahead of Ochoa in the standings. I think he would be well ahead of Arias too.

Like I said, I will ask Ellis and Mandella. I'm pretty sure I know what their answer will be. By the way, just because a trainer puts a jockey on a really good horse, it does not mean that the trainer thinks that the jockey is a great jockey. Bobby Frankel had Jon Court riding his best horse last year. Court was riding Leroidisanimaux. That doesn't mean that Frankel thinks that Court is as good as Jerry Bailey. By the way, it was Court's decision to take off the horse. He had the mount but there was a weekend where the horse was running in New York but Court had some good mounts here that weekend. He decided to stay here so he lost the mount.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

You could say the same thing about any rider who is not doing nearly as well as they used to. You could say, "Oh, it must be their attitude. They didn't forget how to ride."

I'm not saying that Kent is a bad rider. He's a decent rider but he's not as good as the top riders. He came out here and got hot for a while but after the trainers got a chance to watch to him for a long period of time, they didn't think he was that good. The same thing happened to Aaron Gryder in New York. He did very well for a while but after trainers got a chance to watch him ride for several years in New York, they decided that they thought a lot of the other jockeys were better.
By the way, I never said that Ochoa is better than Desormeaux. If Desormeaux was at Del Mar right now, I think he would be well ahead of Ochoa in the standings. I think he would be well ahead of Arias too.

Like I said, I will ask Ellis and Mandella. I'm pretty sure I know what their answer will be. By the way, just because a trainer puts a jockey on a really good horse, it does not mean that the trainer thinks that the jockey is a great jockey. Bobby Frankel had Jon Court riding his best horse last year. Court was riding Leroidisanimaux. That doesn't mean that Frankel thinks that Court is as good as Jerry Bailey. By the way, it was Court's decision to take off the horse. He had the mount but there was a weekend where the horse was running in New York but Court had some good mounts here that weekend. He decided to stay here so he lost the mount.

Why are you making ridiculous statements and killing any credibility you might have had. This is worse than your LITF arguments that were just plain ridiculous.

Kent came to So Cal in 89. Did it take trainers 17 years and 10000 rides to figure out that he wasnt "that good"? LOL

There sure must be some dumb trainers out west if it took that long.

Bobby Frankel must be an idiot because he has ridden Kent first call for long stretches over the years.

Neil drysdale is another fool. He only rode Kent First call for about 10 years off and on. I think it was the 5000th ride for Drysdale where he figured out that Kent "wasnt that good". That was only after Kent rode his only derrby winner and had ridden a majority of his stake winners overr the last ten years. The fool!

Cassidy is even dumber! He rode his last year after all of the other trainers figured out that he wasnt that good.

All of the trainers in the east have to watch him a few more times. They dont have tvs in new york so they wouldnt know how "not that good" he really is.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Why are you making ridiculous statements and killing any credibility you might have had. This is worse than your LITF arguments that were just plain ridiculous.

Kent came to So Cal in 89. Did it take trainers 17 years and 10000 rides to figure out that he wasnt "that good"? LOL

There sure must be some dumb trainers out west if it took that long.

Bobby Frankel must be an idiot because he has ridden Kent first call for long stretches over the years.

Neil drysdale is another fool. He only rode Kent First call for about 10 years off and on. I think it was the 5000th ride for Drysdale where he figured out that Kent "wasnt that good". That was only after Kent rode his only derrby winner and had ridden a majority of his stake winners overr the last ten years. The fool!

Cassidy is even dumber! He rode his last year after all of the other trainers figured out that he wasnt that good.

All of the trainers in the east have to watch him a few more times. They dont have tvs in new york so they wouldnt know how "not that good" he really is.

No, it didn't take 17 years. That first article that you posted was from 1995 and the article said that his business had already gone way down. That was 6 years after he arrived and his business had aleady gone way down. Aaaron Gryder's business was good in New York for more years than that.

You argument is absurd. Just because big trainers used him for a while that doesn't mean they all think he's a superstar. Every top trainer out there has a bunch of different guys that they use. There are some guys like Pletcher out there who only use one guy but the majority of trainers have used multiple guys over the years. As I said before, Bobby Frankel was riding Jon Court on his best horse. That hardly means that Frankel thinks that Court is the best rider out there.
There are some trainers that are more loyal to jockey agents than jockeys. They will use whatever jockey a certain agent has. In another words, some trainers are riding certain jocks simply because they are friends the jock's agents. If the agent and the jock split up, the trainer will stop using that jock.

If you think that a trainer riding a certain jockey proves that that trainer thinks that jockey is great, you are wrong. Don't get me wrong, they're probably not going to use a guy they think is terrible. But if they think that a jock is at least sufficient and they are either friends with the jock or his agent, that may be why they ride that jock. I remeber backin the 1980s, the trainer Loren Rettele was friendly with the agent Bill Barisoff and Retttele would always use whatever jock Barisoff had. When Barisoff would split with a jock and get a new jock, then Rettele would stop using the old jock and starte using the new one. Another reason a trainer may use a certain jock is because the jock is a hard worker and he works a lot of horses for them in the morning.

As I said, I will ask a few of the trainers and we will see what they say. If you turn out to be right l will admit it. I once had a debate with the poster Dunbar and I told him that I would check with some people to see who was right and I ended up coming back to the board and admitting to him that he was right. That's why I have credibility with many of the posters here. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong.

[Rupert Pupkin]

I think you probably have it backwards. Desormeaux is a very upbeat, positive kind of guy. He's got a good attitude. I think his attitude and personality have been a huge asset for him. I'm guessing that his outgoing personality and upbeat demeanor have probably helped his business a lot more than hurt it.

If you said that Nakatani's personality and attitude have hurt his business somewhat, I would have to agree with you. There are deifnitely some peole out there that are not crazy about Corey. Some people think that he's pretty arrogant. I personally like him and there are a lot of people that like him a lot, but there are also people that don't like him. He is somewhat of a controversial personality. I don't think that's the case with Kent.

By the way, I think Nakatani is a much better rider than Kent.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

No, it didn't take 17 years. That first article that you posted was from 1995 and the article said that his business had already gone way down. That was 6 years after he arrived and his business had aleady gone way down. Aaaron Gryder's business was good in New York for more years than that.

You argument is absurd. Just because big trainers used him for a while that doesn't mean they all think he's a superstar. Every top trainer out there has a bunch of different guys that they use. There are some guys like Pletcher out there who only use one guy but the majority of trainers have used multiple guys over the years. As I said before, Bobby Frankel was riding Jon Court on his best horse. That hardly means that Frankel thinks that Court is the best rider out there.
There are some trainers that are more loyal to jockey agents than jockeys. They will use whatever jockey a certain agent has. In another words, some trainers are riding certain jocks simply because they are friends the jock's agents. If the agent and the jock split up, the trainer will stop using that jock.

If you think that a trainer riding a certain jockey proves that that trainer thinks that jockey is great, you are wrong. Don't get me wrong, they're probably not going to use a guy they think is terrible. But if they think that a jock is at least sufficient and they are either friends with the jock or his agent, that may be why they ride that jock. I remeber backin the 1980s, the trainer Loren Rettele was friendly with the agent Bill Barisoff and Retttele would always use whatever jock Barisoff had. When Barisoff would split with a jock and get a new jock, then Rettele would stop using the old jock and starte using the new one. Another reason a trainer may use a certain jock is because the jock is a hard worker and he works a lot of horses for them in the morning.

As I said, I will ask a few of the trainers and we will see what they say. If you turn out to be right l will admit it. I once had a debate with the poster Dunbar and I told him that I would check with some people to see who was right and I ended up coming back to the board and admitting to him that he was right. That's why I have credibility with many of the posters here. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong.

Rupert, Im really starting to question your knowledge on the So Cal racing scene. First of all, Jon Court really didnt get the first or even second call on Leroidsdeanimaux. It was a pick up mount! Leroids ran on KYD day 2004 at Hollywood and most of the other good jocks were either in Kentucky or were already committed. Frankel hardly knew at the time that Leroids was even close to his best. Court rode him well so he left him on.

When your asking your "friend" Mandella about Kent, why dont you ask him about when Kent use to ride first call for him? Yeah, they usually just make the "sufficient" jocks first call riders. As a matter of fact, why dont you ask Drysdale why Kent was first call for so many years. Ask Cassidy or mel stute as well. Ask Bob Hess, Jr. Ask Ted West. Ask Craig lewis. Why were so many of these guys fooled for so long.

Kent's riding has never been the question. If that were the case, why would his winning pct and in the money pct have always been so high? can you dispute that?

Another article just in case you didnt know. There is a book out called "ride of their lives". Check it out.

[dalakhani]

Okay, i finally found the article i was looking for. Ed Golden writes for the Santa Anita website and has won an eclipse award for his writing.

Now who was right?

By ED GOLDEN



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DETERMINED DESORMEAUX RIDES AGAIN TO RIGHT CAREER

Denial is a useful tool.

It can be employed to skip through life unrealistically, ala Walter Mitty, whimsically whisking away responsible tasks that burden the hoi polloi.

Somewhere along the way, however, the time comes when the piper must be paid. Such a moment is at hand for Kent Desormeaux.

In 1993 he was at the apex of a career that seemingly knew no boundaries. He was the regular rider of Kotashaan, who would go on the win the Breeders' Cup Turf and earn Horse of the Year honors.

In his first seven years as a rider, Desormeaux had achieved more than most jockeys do in a lifetime. He was a three-time Eclipse Award winner, twice as a journeyman (1989 and 1992) and once as champion apprentice (1987), one of only three riders to accomplish that (Chris McCarron and Steve Cauthen are the others). In 1993 he won the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, an honor bestowed upon him by his peers, and in 1989, he won a mind-boggling 598 races, the most ever in a single year and a record that still stands.

Although since 1993 he has won the Kentucky Derby twice and been elected to the Hall of Fame, a chorus of closet critics point to valleys of unfullfilment for Desormeaux. Accusers say he brought his present plight on himself with an all-or-nothing attitude that had him so bent on winning he would not waste effort riding for minor awards. This stigma grew, drawing the wrath of bettors, racing officials, horsemen and the media.

Last year the Louisiana native with the matinee-idol good looks (he performed in an episode of the hit TV series, "Bay Watch,") won only 109 races. At Santa Anita during a recent weekend, Desormeaux had only five mounts in a span of 26 races, an affront to a proud and competitive athlete whose thirst for victory is unquenchable.

That's what sticks in his craw, and that's why Desormeaux and his new agent, Harry (The Hat) Hacek are taking drastic corrective measures. Hacek, who has represented Hall of Fame jockeys Steve Cauthen, Eddie Delahoussaye, Sandy Hawley, Chris McCarron, Darrel McHargue and Gary Stevens, among others, is in the arduous process of reopening doors, along with his newest client.

Horsemen do not question Desormeaux's enormous skills on horseback, only his outlook and work ethic.

Agent and rider are facing those issues head-on. They are beating the bushes on the backstretch on a daily basis..

"It would be safe to say Kent has fallen from grace in the past few years, hitting rock-bottom at the recent Hollywood Park fall meet where he finished 12th in the standings with just 10 wins," points out Hacek, who earned the nickname "The Hat" years ago through his propensity for wearing chapeaus. "The alliteration was a nice fit," Hacek said when a friend dubbed him 'The Hat,' "so I kept it.

"Everyone knows of Kent's impressive statistics and accomplishments," Hacek said. "Yet it is inconceivable that he would win only 109 races in 2004, less than half of those won by Tyler Baze, Victor Espinoza and Corey Nakatani, to name but three. Remember, in his early 30s Kent once led the greatest riding colony ever assembled, consisting of the likes of Pincay, McCarron, Delahoussaye, Stevens, Solis, etc.

"Understandably, Kent is disturbed by his decline in popularity and production. He is aware of his shortcomings and readily accepts full blame. He began 2005 with a new agent and a new attitude, as though he just arrived in California, only wiser and more mature. He wants a second chance. Working closely with him in the past few weeks, I know people will be amazed by his new makeover. It will be a work in progress."

Not that it's been all bad for Desormeaux, who turns 35 on Feb. 27. Far from it. Criticism aside, in 2000 Desormeaux won his second Kentucky Derby in three years aboard Fusaichi Pegasus and his earnings of $13.4 million led all California-based riders and placed him fifth nationally. He won 20 graded stakes races that year. In 1997 at the age of 27, he became the youngest jockey to surpass $100 million in career earnings and he began 2003 eighth on the all-time earnings list with $166,055,249. Last year, Desormeaux received his crowning award, induction into the Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest rider to be so honored.

There are those who would attribute Desormeaux's relative void in large part to multiple skull fractures suffered in a spill at Hollywood Park on Dec. 11, 1992, although he returned on Jan. 22, 1993, and won aboard his first two mounts. Others could cite the trauma Kent and his wife, Sonia, experienced when their youngest son, Jacob, was born deaf. But Desormeaux would be the last person to make excuses. In my dealings with him, he has always been forthright. No one feels worse after a loss than Kent. He knows he is overdue in righting his wayward ship.

"Harry gave me a wake-up call," Desormeaux said. "He berated me with expletives about what I was doing with my career. He didn't massage my ego and he pointed out my shortcomings. I appreciated his candor. It was just what I needed. I had lost focus. You will see a new and improved version of Kent Desormeaux, I guarantee."

Hacek concurs.

"Since joining forces, Kent has done everything I have asked of him," Hacek said. "His dedication and determination have never been stronger. If owners and trainers give him a deserved second chance, or half the opportunity they are willing to give Pat Valenzuela, we'll show everyone that Kent is the best rider in America today. He is an Arcaro, Pincay, Cordero type, smart and strong, and his accomplishments at such a young age support that. Competitive slander and character assassination cannot change those facts."

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Rupert, Im really starting to question your knowledge on the So Cal racing scene. First of all, Jon Court really didnt get the first or even second call on Leroidsdeanimaux. It was a pick up mount! Leroids ran on KYD day 2004 at Hollywood and most of the other good jocks were either in Kentucky or were already committed. Frankel hardly knew at the time that Leroids was even close to his best. Court rode him well so he left him on.

When your asking your "friend" Mandella about Kent, why dont you ask him about when Kent use to ride first call for him? Yeah, they usually just make the "sufficient" jocks first call riders. As a matter of fact, why dont you ask Drysdale why Kent was first call for so many years. Ask Cassidy or mel stute as well. Ask Bob Hess, Jr. Ask Ted West. Ask Craig lewis. Why were so many of these guys fooled for so long.

Kent's riding has never been the question. If that were the case, why would his winning pct and in the money pct have always been so high? can you dispute that?

Another article just in case you didnt know. There is a book out called "ride of their lives". Check it out.

What happened with Lerodesanimaux is not uncommon. That type of thing happens all the time. A trainer may put a lesser jock on a great horse before the horse becomes a star. The lesser jock has success on the horse and he keeps the mount. Other times a top jock may have a commitment and may not be able to travel to ride a horse. A lesser jock is willing to travel and he rides the horse to victory and keeps the mount. There are all kinds of scenarios as to how a mediocre jock can end up with the mount on a great horse from a top trainer who is not even a huge fan of that particular jock.

Anyway, I'm getting tired of this debate. It's a one-way debate. I answer all of your questions but you don't answer mine. You still haven't answered the simplest and most obvious question: Why would Desormeaux have a reputation of being lazy and not willing to ride cheap horses if he was out there every morning working his butt off and telling trainers that he is happy to ride cheap horses? That doesn't make any sense.

I don't remember whether Desormeaux ever was riding first-call for Mandella. I'll have to look into that. Even if he was, different trainers have different tastes in jockeys. Solis has ridden first-call for Mandella. I don't care. Solis was not and never will be in the league of Stevens, Bailey, McCarron, P Val, Pincay, Delahoussaye, Espinoza, etc.

By the way, I hardly think Mel Stute is a good trainer. If you think so then we have obviously have completely different tastes in trainers. I hardly consider Craig Lewis a good trainer. Bob Hess and Ted West are respectable. Drysdale is obviously a good trainer.

By the way, are you suggesting that Desormeaux was so lazy that he wouldn't even work horses for Drysdale in the morning? Are you suggesting that Desormeax was rude to Drysdale or gave him an attitude? I don't know for a fact that this didn't happen, but I highly doubt it. I highly doubt Desormeaux was giving an attitude to the top trainers, the trainers that he wanted to ride for.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

What happened with Lerodesanimaux is not uncommon. That type of thing happens all the time. A trainer may put a lesser jock on a great horse before the horse becomes a star. The lesser jock has success on the horse and he keeps the mount. Other times a top jock may have a commitment and may not be able to travel to ride a horse. A lesser jock is willing to travel and he rides the horse to victory and keeps the mount. There are all kinds of scenarios as to how a mediocre jock can end up with the mount on a great horse from a top trainer who is not even a huge fan of that particular jock.

Anyway, I'm getting tired of this debate. It's a one-way debate. I answer all of your questions but you don't answer mine. You still haven't answered the simplest and most obvious question: Why would Desormeaux have a reputation of being lazy and not willing to ride cheap horses if he was out there every morning working his butt off and telling trainers that he is happy to ride cheap horses? That doesn't make any sense.

I don't remember whether Desormeaux ever was riding first-call for Mandella. I'll have to look into that. Even if he was, different trainers have different tastes in jockeys. Solis has ridden first-call for Mandella. I don't care. Solis was not and never will be in the league of Stevens, Bailey, McCarron, P Val, Pincay, Delahoussaye, Espinoza, etc.

By the way, I hardly think Mel Stute is a good trainer. If you think so then we have obviously have completely different tastes in trainers. I hardly consider Craig Lewis a good trainer. Bob Hess and Ted West are respectable. Drysdale is obviously a good trainer.

By the way, are you suggesting that Desormeaux was so lazy that he wouldn't even work horses for Drysdale in the morning? Are you suggesting that Desormeax was rude to Drysdale or gave him an attitude? I don't know for a fact that this didn't happen, but I highly doubt it. I highly doubt Desormeaux was giving an attitude to the top trainers, the trainers that he wanted to ride for.

Hey Rupert-

Check out the article printed above and what is your response to the bolded, underlined text?

Checkmate pal.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Hey Rupert-

Check out the article printed above and what is your response to the bolded, underlined text?

Checkmate pal.

That's hardly check mate. You haven't countered any of my arguments. I've countered practically every argument you've made.

After reading that article, I would say that there could be some truth to some of the stuff you are saying. It's only an article though. Sports writers are known for hyperbole. The problem with the article is there's not a single quote from a single trainer in that article. There wasn't even one trainer that he could quote that confirmed his hypothesis as to the cause of Desormeaux's downfall. If there were quotes from at least a few trainers saying that they think that Kent is a great jock but they won't ride him because of his work ethic, then you would at least have some evidence that some trainers out there confirm what you are saying.

I thought the article in 1995 said that he was getting his act together and working hard. Your articles have done just as much damage to your argument as they have helped your argument. If the trainers truly think he has so much talent and their only problem with him is his work ethic, then they would have started to ride him again after they saw that he was working hard again. The fact that trainers still would not ride him even when his attitude and work ethic were good is evidence that the problem was with his riding rather than his work ethic. I guess I can say "check mate" now.

[Rupert Pupkin]

By the way, most trainers are very forgiving. As long as they think you still have the ability, they will usually forgive past indiscretions. Look at how many times P Val has tested positive for drugs. Yet every time he comes back, they give him another chance. The reason they always give him another chance is because they think he's a great jockey. They will ride him despite his personal shortcomings because he is a great jockey and there aren't that many great jockeys out there. There are a lot of good jockeys but not that many great ones. If they thought Desormeaux was a great rider, they would ride him, even if they had some issues with him. They obviously don't think he's that good any more.

Why would they still be willing to ride P Val with all of his problems but not Kent? The reason is obvious. They think P Val is a much better jockey.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

That's hardly check mate. You haven't countered any of my arguments. I've countered practically every argument you've made.

After reading that article, I would say that there could be some truth to some of the stuff you are saying. It's only an article though. Sports writers are known for hyperbole. The problem with the article is there's not a single quote from a single trainer in that article. There wasn't even one trainer that he could quote that confirmed his hypothesis as to the cause of Desormeaux's downfall. If there were quotes from at least a few trainers saying that they think that Kent is a great jock but they won't ride him because of his work ethic, then you would at least have some evidence that some trainers out there confirm what you are saying.

I thought the article in 1995 said that he was getting his act together and working hard. Your articles have done just as much damage to your argument as they have helped your argument. If the trainers truly think he has so much talent and their only problem with him is his work ethic, then they would have started to ride him again after they saw that he was working hard again. The fact that trainers still would not ride him even when his attitude and work ethic were good is evidence that the problem was with his riding rather than his work ethic. I guess I can say "check mate" now.

Rupert, are you that out of touch? Seriously dude, you are looking extremely uninformed. Seriously. Remember, from 1995 on kent rode mulitple riding titles, 2 kenutcky derbies and a couple of breeders cup races. The trainers DID give him chances again obviously. If they didnt, how could he have won the riding titles and races that he won?

They eventually grew tired of giving him chances. Here is another article that kind of illustrates how many "resurrections" he's had:

ARCADIA, Calif. - Never underestimate the motivational power of real estate. Kent Desormeaux, winner of the Oak Tree Derby and the Goodwood Handicap on successive weekends at Santa Anita, is riding like a man paying for a new piece of property, which he is.

And while anyone else who had moved barely two weeks ago would be exhausted from hauling boxes, unpacking record collections, or pushing that 300-pound armoire "just a little bit more to the right," Desormeaux seems invigorated. Leave it to Kent to concoct an image that suits his new surroundings.

"I feel like I've finally placed myself in a trophy," he said, "instead of having so many trophies in a lesser home."

No one is more entertaining than Desormeaux when he gets on a verbal roll. And no one can articulate the details of his craft quite like Kent, who knows precisely why he does whatever he does at each and every point of a race, whether it works or not.

His ride aboard the former European colt No Slip in the Oak Tree Derby last Saturday was a thriller. Then on Sunday, he nearly stole the Harold Ramser Handicap with the longshot Walts Wharf. Combine that with his Goodwood upset aboard Freedom Crest and four more winners over the weekend, and you have the makings of a good, old-fashioned Desormeaux resurrection.

Usually, there is only one resurrection to a customer. At the age of 31, Desormeaux seems to be drawing from a lifetime supply. There was his rise and fall and rise again in the mid-1990's, culminated by his 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories aboard Real Quiet. Then came another business crash, followed by another glorious rebirth on the wings of Fusaichi Pegasus in the 2000 Derby.
Desormeaux took fate into his own hands earlier this year and uprooted his family to Japan for a lucrative mini-season of competition. He made a ton of money and thousands of fans, while spending more time than ever before with his wife, Sonia, and sons Josh and Jake.

The gamble had a price. When Desormeaux returned to California in July, it took most of the Del Mar meet to build any head of steam. The past two weeks have been more typical of a career than includes more than 4,000 winners and three Eclipse Awards.

"I hope it's back to business as usual," Desormeaux said. "I certainly am attempting to be out there, and show the smiling fresh face that has returned from Japan. I have no desire to be a jockey that's just hanging around the colony. It's my desire to be number one."

Perhaps more than any other top rider, Desormeaux wears his technique on his sleeve. He tries things on horseback that may look strange, or go against the grain.

But, more often than not, they work. His ride aboard No Slip was a perfect example.

Far back on a slow pace, Desormeaux and his colt came flying in the final 100 yards to beat Laffit Pincay and Sligo Bay by the thinnest possible nose. The contrast in finishing styles was striking. Pincay was coiling and uncoiling in his familiar humpbacked profile, like a powerful spring attached to the back of the animal. Then there was Desormeaux, on the outside, arms flailing and reins flapping, "tossing salad" to beat the band. He explained.

"For me, it works better than the whip," Kent began. "It gets a horse to find more, deep down. If you think about lifting a dumbbell, the first thing you do is grit your teeth and wince with strain. Horses are the same. They bite their teeth, and when they become fatigued, the first thing they do is let go and spit the bit.

"I encourage them by giving the bit a light tug and twirling it in their mouth, enticing them to chomp back down on the bridle and take it forward. At the same time, my right hand is behind flashed right beside their eye. So I'm chasing them forward, trying to get them to bite the bridle."

The Desormeaux comeback could be complete if he makes an impact on Breeders' Cup Day, Oct. 27, at Belmont Park. He is looking forward to riding Freedom Crest against the best the world can muster in the $4 million Classic. And he is particularly excited about his mount in the $1 million Juvenile.

"This will be a very special year," he said. "I'm going to win the Juvenile for my brother. How about that?"

That would be fine by Keith Desormeaux, the brother in question, and trainer of French Assault. He is a son of French Deputy, out of a granddaughter of Six Crowns, who has run six times and won twice, including a stakes at Retama Park. In his most recent start, French Assault was second in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile.

"I rode him at Turfway," Kent said. "He was a very good second in my eyes. I didn't know the colt, and I think I would have won the race had I been on him before."

So what Desormeaux is saying, with a smile and flash of his dark brown eyes, is that French Assault is going to beat Officer, everyone else's best bet of the day.

"Yes, he will," Desormeaux replied. And for a second, you almost believed him.



I bolded the part that explains what happened.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Rupert, are you that out of touch? Seriously dude, you are looking extremely uninformed. Seriously. Remember, from 1995 on kent rode mulitple riding titles, 2 kenutcky derbies and a couple of breeders cup races. The trainers DID give him chances again obviously. If they didnt, how could he have won the riding titles and races that he won?

They eventually grew tired of giving him chances. Here is another article that kind of illustrates how many "resurrections" he's had:

ARCADIA, Calif. - Never underestimate the motivational power of real estate. Kent Desormeaux, winner of the Oak Tree Derby and the Goodwood Handicap on successive weekends at Santa Anita, is riding like a man paying for a new piece of property, which he is.

And while anyone else who had moved barely two weeks ago would be exhausted from hauling boxes, unpacking record collections, or pushing that 300-pound armoire "just a little bit more to the right," Desormeaux seems invigorated. Leave it to Kent to concoct an image that suits his new surroundings.

"I feel like I've finally placed myself in a trophy," he said, "instead of having so many trophies in a lesser home."

No one is more entertaining than Desormeaux when he gets on a verbal roll. And no one can articulate the details of his craft quite like Kent, who knows precisely why he does whatever he does at each and every point of a race, whether it works or not.

His ride aboard the former European colt No Slip in the Oak Tree Derby last Saturday was a thriller. Then on Sunday, he nearly stole the Harold Ramser Handicap with the longshot Walts Wharf. Combine that with his Goodwood upset aboard Freedom Crest and four more winners over the weekend, and you have the makings of a good, old-fashioned Desormeaux resurrection.

Usually, there is only one resurrection to a customer. At the age of 31, Desormeaux seems to be drawing from a lifetime supply. There was his rise and fall and rise again in the mid-1990's, culminated by his 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories aboard Real Quiet. Then came another business crash, followed by another glorious rebirth on the wings of Fusaichi Pegasus in the 2000 Derby.
Desormeaux took fate into his own hands earlier this year and uprooted his family to Japan for a lucrative mini-season of competition. He made a ton of money and thousands of fans, while spending more time than ever before with his wife, Sonia, and sons Josh and Jake.

The gamble had a price. When Desormeaux returned to California in July, it took most of the Del Mar meet to build any head of steam. The past two weeks have been more typical of a career than includes more than 4,000 winners and three Eclipse Awards.

"I hope it's back to business as usual," Desormeaux said. "I certainly am attempting to be out there, and show the smiling fresh face that has returned from Japan. I have no desire to be a jockey that's just hanging around the colony. It's my desire to be number one."

Perhaps more than any other top rider, Desormeaux wears his technique on his sleeve. He tries things on horseback that may look strange, or go against the grain.

But, more often than not, they work. His ride aboard No Slip was a perfect example.

Far back on a slow pace, Desormeaux and his colt came flying in the final 100 yards to beat Laffit Pincay and Sligo Bay by the thinnest possible nose. The contrast in finishing styles was striking. Pincay was coiling and uncoiling in his familiar humpbacked profile, like a powerful spring attached to the back of the animal. Then there was Desormeaux, on the outside, arms flailing and reins flapping, "tossing salad" to beat the band. He explained.

"For me, it works better than the whip," Kent began. "It gets a horse to find more, deep down. If you think about lifting a dumbbell, the first thing you do is grit your teeth and wince with strain. Horses are the same. They bite their teeth, and when they become fatigued, the first thing they do is let go and spit the bit.

"I encourage them by giving the bit a light tug and twirling it in their mouth, enticing them to chomp back down on the bridle and take it forward. At the same time, my right hand is behind flashed right beside their eye. So I'm chasing them forward, trying to get them to bite the bridle."

The Desormeaux comeback could be complete if he makes an impact on Breeders' Cup Day, Oct. 27, at Belmont Park. He is looking forward to riding Freedom Crest against the best the world can muster in the $4 million Classic. And he is particularly excited about his mount in the $1 million Juvenile.

"This will be a very special year," he said. "I'm going to win the Juvenile for my brother. How about that?"

That would be fine by Keith Desormeaux, the brother in question, and trainer of French Assault. He is a son of French Deputy, out of a granddaughter of Six Crowns, who has run six times and won twice, including a stakes at Retama Park. In his most recent start, French Assault was second in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile.

"I rode him at Turfway," Kent said. "He was a very good second in my eyes. I didn't know the colt, and I think I would have won the race had I been on him before."

So what Desormeaux is saying, with a smile and flash of his dark brown eyes, is that French Assault is going to beat Officer, everyone else's best bet of the day.

"Yes, he will," Desormeaux replied. And for a second, you almost believed him.



I bolded the part that explains what happened.

You could write a similar article about practically ever jockey out there with the exception of the few who have been on top the whole time. You could write similar articles about Gryder, Douglas, Solis, Smith, Pincay, Stevens, etc.

You could use the same drama in every story: Laffit Pincay was the leading rider in the country but he fell on hard times. He lost all his business. Nobody could figure out what the problem was. He was finally forced to take his tack up north to the Bay area. But then Pincay came back to Southern California with a new outlook and he got hot again.

Aaron Gryder was riding high in Southern California but he lost his bug and his business was hurting. He was forced to move to the mid-west where he found new life. He had a whole new outlook. Then he went to New York where he found incredible success and was one of the leading riders for several years. Maybe he got complacent, nobody knows but he was slowly losing most of his business and it finally got to the point where he was lucky to crack the top 5 at the inner-dirt meet. The once-successful rider was on a downward spiral. But now he has new life. he decided to move his tack back to Southern California and top trainers such as Jeff Mullins have welcomed him with open arms. He has new life now. The up and down career of Aaron Gryder is on the way up again.

Gary Stevens was the leading rider in the country. He won 3 Ky Derbies and even won the Eclipse Award. But he fell on hard times. People questioned whether he still had the fire in his belly. They questioned whether he could still ride with his bad knees. They questioned whether he was more interested in his movie career than his riding career. He was once the toast of the town on the So Cal circuit and now his business was so bad that he was forced to move to Kentucky. In Kentucky, he found new life. He was riding for top stables such as Patrick Biancone and was near the top of the standings. He had a whole new outlook. He was going out in the mornings again. The up and down career of Gary Stevens was looking up again.

I could write the same thing about another 20 jockeys. That is the life of most jockeys. They're hot for a while then they fall out of favor and nobody wants to ride them. Then they are forced to start working harder and have to start going out every morning. Then they get hot again and things pick up again. Welcome to the life of a jockey.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

You could write a similar article about practically ever jockey out there with the exception of the few who have been on top the whole time. You could write similar articles about Gryder, Douglas, Solis, Smith, Pincay, Stevens, etc.

You could use the same drama in every story: Laffit Pincay was the leading rider in the country but he fell on hard times. He lost all his business. Nobody could figure out what the problem was. He was finally forced to take his tack up north to the Bay area. But then Pincay came back to Southern California with a new outlook and he got hot again.

Aaron Gryder was riding high in Southern California but he lost his bug and his business was hurting. He was forced to move to the mid-west where he found new life. He had a whole new outlook. Then he went to New York where he found incredible success and was one of the leading riders for several years. Maybe he got complacent, nobody knows but he was slowly losing most of his business and it finally got to the point where he was lucky to crack the top 5 at the inner-dirt meet. The once-successful rider was on a downward spiral. But now he has new life. he decided to move his tack back to Southern California and top trainers such as Jeff Mullins have welcomed him with open arms. He has new life now. The up and down career of Aaron Gryder is on the way up again.

Gary Stevens was the leading rider in the country. He won 3 Ky Derbies and even won the Eclipse Award. But he fell on hard times. People questioned whether he still had the fire in his belly. They questioned whether he could still ride with his bad knees. They questioned whether he was more interested in his movie career than his riding career. He was once the toast of the town on the So Cal circuit and now his business was so bad that he was forced to move to Kentucky. In Kentucky, he found new life. He was riding for top stables such as Patrick Biancone and was near the top of the standings. He had a whole new outlook. He was going out in the mornings again. The up and down career of Gary Stevens was looking up again.

I could write the same thing about another 20 jockeys. That is the life of most jockeys. They're hot for a while then they fall out of favor and nobody wants to ride them. Then they are forced to start working harder and have to start going out every morning. Then they get hot again and things pick up again. Welcome to the life of a jockey.

Sure you could say the same things about twenty jockeys. But those twenty jockeys wouldnt be the fastest to 4500 wins. The same jockeys wouldnt have the awards or the stature. Very few do. Stevens is one of them. Pval is one of them. Lafit was one of them. Aaron Gryder certainly isnt.

But why are you trying to twist and turn? Why dont you just admit that you were wrong and get on down the road?

My contention was that Kent's problems were more political than ability. Obviously, some people in print agree with me. What do you have to back up your position besides bull****?

My contention was that the riding colonies in So Cal and New York are not comparable. I have backed up my position with facts. What have you done? The same BS style.

Is it possible for you to back up anything that you say? Why continue?

Anyone that has an informed opinion knows what happened with Kent in So cal. Anyone with an informed opinion knows that the jockey colony in So Cal is a far cry from what it use to be and that it isnt even close to NY anymore. Why kill your crediblity over something so inane?

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Sure you could say the same things about twenty jockeys. But those twenty jockeys wouldnt be the fastest to 4500 wins. The same jockeys wouldnt have the awards or the stature. Very few do. Stevens is one of them. Pval is one of them. Lafit was one of them. Aaron Gryder certainly isnt.

But why are you trying to twist and turn? Why dont you just admit that you were wrong and get on down the road?

My contention was that Kent's problems were more political than ability. Obviously, some people in print agree with me. What do you have to back up your position besides bull****?

My contention was that the riding colonies in So Cal and New York are not comparable. I have backed up my position with facts. What have you done? The same BS style.

Is it possible for you to back up anything that you say? Why continue?

Anyone that has an informed opinion knows what happened with Kent in So cal. Anyone with an informed opinion knows that the jockey colony in So Cal is a far cry from what it use to be and that it isnt even close to NY anymore. Why kill your crediblity over something so inane?

I told you I would be honest with you when I started getting some opinions from horsemen. I just got off the phone with a big racing manager/bloodstock agent out here who is at the track every morning. Here is his opinion: He agreed with you about Kent's ability. He thought that Kent was good as anyone at one time. He thought that Kent had a ton of natural ability. He thinks the problem was that Kent started to overanalyze every race and was always trying to get too cute and ride the other horses in the race. He said his attitude has rubbed some people the wrong way. He says that Kent has a pretty big ego.

So he did agree with some of the things you have said. However, he also agreed with what I have said. He doesn't think it's so much a matter of politics. He thinks that Kent doesn't ride that well any more. He thinks that instead of using his natural ability like he used to, that he overanalyzes races and tries to get cute and ends up giving sub-par rides. My opinion differs from this guy in that he thinks that Kent was a great rider at one time. I don't think he was ever great. Me and him both agree that Kent does not ride great any more. He thinks its' more mental. I think it's physical and mental. I don't think he ever had the physical ability of guys like Stevens, McCarron, Bailey, etc.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I told you I would be honest with you when I started getting some opinions from horsemen. I just got off the phone with a big racing manager/bloodstock agent out here who is at the track every morning. Here is his opinion: He agreed with you about Kent's ability. He thought that Kent was good as anyone at one time. He thought that Kent had a ton of natural ability. He thinks the problem was that Kent started to overanalyze every race and was always trying to get too cute and ride the other horses in the race. He said his attitude has rubbed some people the wrong way. He says that Kent has a pretty big ego.

So he did agree with some of the things you have said. However, he also agreed with what I have said. He doesn't think it's so much a matter of politics. He thinks that Kent doesn't ride that well any more. He thinks that instead of using his natural ability like he used to, that he overanalyzes races and tries to get cute and ends up giving sub-par rides. My opinion differs from this guy in that he thinks that Kent was a great rider at one time. I don't think he was ever great. Me and him both agree that Kent does not ride great any more. He thinks its' more mental. I think it's physical and mental. I don't think he ever had the physical ability of guys like Stevens, McCarron, Bailey, etc.

Fair enough! And what he said I would agree with hands down. As far as riding well, he is just much more inconsistent now. He does try to ride other horses too much at times. At times it works incredibly well (see ticker tape in the american derby) and at times it fails miserably when it is unnecessary.

He is riding better than he has since 2001 right now. He just isnt getting the top mounts again yet. His ROI right now is off the charts at Saratoga. As for physical ability, you mention bailey and he has much more natural ability than Biailey did. Bailey would be the first to tell you that he wasnt that gifted naturally and that most of his success came through hard work. Kent is about as natural and instinctive as they come.

Either way, its been fun. Thanks for the feedback.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Fair enough! And what he said I would agree with hands down. As far as riding well, he is just much more inconsistent now. He does try to ride other horses too much at times. At times it works incredibly well (see ticker tape in the american derby) and at times it fails miserably when it is unnecessary.

He is riding better than he has since 2001 right now. He just isnt getting the top mounts again yet. His ROI right now is off the charts at Saratoga. As for physical ability, you mention bailey and he has much more natural ability than Biailey did. Bailey would be the first to tell you that he wasnt that gifted naturally and that most of his success came through hard work. Kent is about as natural and instinctive as they come.

Either way, its been fun. Thanks for the feedback.

I'll talk to the other guys in the next couple of days and tell you what they say. They've been in NY for the last few days for the yearling sale. I'll talk to them when they get back.