Jockey Colonies -- few real good ones are out there

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Bogey

Except for the Ortiz brothers who have recently emerged as arguably top tier jocks, who else stays in NY for the winter. Cornelio and Rajiv could not compete in Gulfstream on a consistent basis, so they decided to take the easier route and deal with the harsh winter. Rosie is about the only exception. Paco (16 mounts at Saratoga this summer, hardly counts for often enough) riding full time at Gulfstream more than makes up for the average jock choosing an easier meet.

Having Desormeaux, Trujillo, Carmouche, JC Caraballo, Contreras, and G Saez more than makes up the difference. Although, Saratoga has the best meet throughout the year, Gulfstream winter meet has the BEST jock colony assembled.

Gus I think Cornelio and Rajiv are betting then and of these guys......
Desormeaux, Trujillo, Carmouche, JC Caraballo, Contreras, and G Saez

[booner]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Gus I think Cornelio and Rajiv are betting then and of these guys......
Desormeaux, Trujillo, Carmouche, JC Caraballo, Contreras, and G Saez

I agree with that. Cornelio and Maragh are better than these. But I look at it like this:

After Cornelio, Maragh and the Ortiz bros, are there 6 jocks at the Aqu winter meet that can compare to the 6 listed above? I don't think so. After the top 4, NY winter gets thin.

[booner]

I started following the Tampa Bay meet closer the past 2 years and like the jocks there. Pretty good riding going on as Doug stated above.

One jock that I have started watching more is Florent "Frenchie" Geroux. He has really caught my attention at the Kentucky Downs meet this year with a couple of heady rides. He won't be able to overtake Rosie and James Graham at Fairgrounds this winter but will get his fair share of quality mounts. Solid rider.

[Bogey]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Gus I think Cornelio and Rajiv are betting then and of these guys......
Desormeaux, Trujillo, Carmouche, JC Caraballo, Contreras, and G Saez

Why, just because they ride in New York?

They both use to ride at Gulfstream and recently decided to stay in New York for the winter. I understand the money is good at the Big A. It's hard to convince me that they wouldn't move their tack back to Gulfstream for the winter if they were winning more races.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Bogey

Why, just because they ride in New York?

They both use to ride at Gulfstream and recently decided to stay in New York for the winter. I understand the money is good at the Big A. It's hard to convince me that they wouldn't move their tack back to Gulfstream for the winter if they were winning more races.

Gus the 2 we mention above are both riding really well right now. Not just on cheap claimers either. Corny won multiple G1's with Palace this summer. Maragh is the regular rider of Artemis Argotera and Wicked Strong.

[Pants II]

I think Rajiv Maragh is mediocre and a benefactor of a dwindling colony.

But to each his own. This is the sport present day.

And the Ortiz brothers seem to get a lot of love but I find them to be nauseatingly frustrating. They're too inconsistent lately.

[Bogey]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Gus the 2 we mention above are both riding really well right now. Not just on cheap claimers either. Corny won multiple G1's with Palace this summer. Maragh is the regular rider of Artemis Argotera and Wicked Strong.

I think I follow racing enough to have this information off the top of my head. I understand the New York love.