Pletcher has his mounts set for the Derby

[saucon17]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Especially with Bravo so high on the list.

Just look who he rides against at Monmouth Park absolutely nothing except for Lezcano. His stats are inflated by riding there.

[whodey17]

The bet of the Derby is to box every non-pletcher and no o'neil horse in an exacta.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Totally agree, but I feel the same way about Baze as well. I'm sure I'll get blasted for it, but it's true.

I agree, honestly, I wish he would go to southern cal and win a couple titles to validate what he is done.

Otherwise, the talk will always be there. And what does he have to lose, he would be instantly accepted if his heart was into it.

[whodey17]

Baze is a very capable jock. You do not stay on top for so long on any circuit if you do not have talent. Baze has won his fair share of nice races.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by whodey17

Baze is a very capable jock. You do not stay on top for so long on any circuit if you do not have talent. Baze has won his fair share of nice races.

Not really...How many graded stakes has he won in S. Cal? i am not being sarcastic, being serious. I am sure he has won a couple, but winning graded stakes races in N.Cal is like winning stakes races at Arlington on any day but Million Day

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Scav

Not really...How many graded stakes has he won in S. Cal? i am not being sarcastic, being serious. I am sure he has won a couple, but winning graded stakes races in N.Cal is like winning stakes races at Arlington on any day but Million Day

How many opportunities has he had to ride in Graded races in So Cal?

[whodey17]

This is from NTRA...

Twice won the Oak Tree Invitational, with Hawkster in 1999 and Both Ends Burning in 1984 … Other top victories came in the Jim Beam (Event of the Year, 1998), Oak Leaf (Lite Light, 1990), Del Mar Debutante (Rue de Palm, 1989) and Longacres Mile (Adreamisborn, 2004; Sky Jack, 2003; and Simply Majestic, 1988) … Won the El Camino Real Derby three times. Other major horses ridden have included Lexicon, Cause to Believe and Trickey Trevor.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Why can't he? Is he barred from riding there?

He can, I think he chooses not to do so. Just because he doesnt ride doesnt mean he is not capable.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Yeah I guess. I just always thought of him as kind of a wuss for not wanting to ride with the big boys. He sure has made a great career for himself and I can't argue that. But if you could, wouldn't you want to play in the NFL instead of the Arena league?

I see your point and agree. But I have to commend the man for staying at home with his family. Cant fault the man for that. Plus, he has a great thing going in No Cal. Why on earth would he risk what he knows is pretty much the best thing going.

[saucon17]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Yeah I agree, aside from the Lost in the Fog rides, who lets be honest, you or I could have rode him, the only graded stake I can remember him winning is the sprint on Derby day a few years ago on a Hollendorfer horse.

Ah, Trickey Trevor

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Scav

I agree, honestly, I wish he would go to southern cal and win a couple titles to validate what he is done.

Otherwise, the talk will always be there. And what does he have to lose, he would be instantly accepted if his heart was into it.

He tried years ago and ran back home before the season ended. He's a family first/career second.

[DerbyCat]

You can tell by my avatar the track that I am a fan of and I think Russell Baze is a great rider -- but only at Bay Meadows/Golden Gate Fields. He can only win outside of NorCal when he has the superior horse (in other words, the HORSE wins the race, not the jock). When So Cal jocks come up north for stakes races, they blow by Russell, they simply know how to ride better. There was one season at Bay Meadows where you could watch Russell's riding plan in action in the small 5-6 horse fields - he sat off the pace and as they came around the turn, he ducked into the rail (since all the other horses were three wide past the apex of the turn) and rode the rail home for the win. He did this so consistantly I got pissed at the other jocks - why the h*ll weren't they doing this? Russell does fine in the small fields in NorCal but he gets eaten alive anywhere else. And I bet Russell knows that, and that's why he stays home in Woodside with his family.

p.s. No way Russell Baze is a better jock than Prado - and any list that says he is can't be trusted... just my two cents.

[Buffymommy]

I agree with Cajun. Keeping Edgar on Scat Daddy is a great thing. He is still in my top five of derby horses. I am having a really hard time this year picking who I like.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I may be wrong but I think he did ride an entire Hollywood meet once, to mixed results. Anyone know for sure, DrugS?

I believe Russell Baze spent two or three years in the late 80's or early 90's in Southern California...and had only moderate success.