Top 5 Active Jockeys
May 12, 2008
The United States racing circuits have seen many riders come and go. Most of these riders serve a niche at a smaller track such as River Downs. These jockeys are not at the top of the food chain, but they are more than capable. Tracks such as River Downs, serve as the training grounds for the future stars of the game. Rafael Bejarano got his start at River Downs, while Robby Albarado and Kent Desormeaux got their’s at Evangeline Downs. They are now at the top of the food chain. Let’s take a look at that top sector of jockey’s and I’ll give you my opinion on who is the best. Granted, they are separated by very little.
#1 Garrett Gomez- In 2007 Gomez broke Jerry Bailey’s record for stakes wins in a single year. I would call him the “now” jockey, but hell Garrett Gomez always rides this well. Some jockeys sadly are unable to overcome substance abuse, but this was not the case for Gomez. He decided what was important and changed his lifestyle after a substance abuse problem. Congratulations on that Garrett! In 2007 Garrett Gomez won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. Some of Garrett Gomez’s top wins and mounts in 2007 include: Rags to Riches (G1 Kentucky Oaks, G1 Las Virgenes, G1 Santa Anita Oaks), Any Given Saturday (G1 Haskell Invitational, G2 Dwyer, G2 Brooklyn H), Spring at Last (Godolphin Mile), Shakespeare (G1 Woodbine Mile), Indian Blessing (G1 Frizette, G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies).
#2 John R. Velazquez- One of the first things I can remember about horse racing is people talking about the “Pletcher-Velazquez” angle. I quickly learned why. When these two heavyweights teamed up the results could be epic. The pair teamed up to win their first Triple Crown race in 2007 with the phenomenal filly Rags to Riches. Velazquez has seven Breeders Cup wins, his most recent being with English Channel in 2007 (Another Pletcher horse). In 2005 he won the Dubai World on Roses in May. He has won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey twice, in 2004 and 2005. Top mounts in 2007 include: Octave (G1 Mother Goose, G1 Coaching Club American Oaks); Lawyer Ron (G1 Whitney, G1 Woodward), English Channel (G1 United Nations, G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic), Cotton Blossom (G1 Acorn, Florida Oaks).
#3 Mike Smith- I could hardly believe what I saw when researching Mike Smith. The guy has won 10 Breeders Cup races! Some of his biggest Breeders Cup winners were Cherokee Run in the 1994 Breeders Cup Sprint, and Skip Away in the 1997 Breeders Cup Classic. In 1993 and 1994 Smith won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding jockey, and was the top money earner. His biggest win came in the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 long shot Giacomo. Smith said that although he wasn’t expecting the win, he knew Giacomo had it in him. His top mount in 2007 was Tiago who won the Santa Anita Derby, Swaps, and Goodwood. He also rode Cry and Catch Me to victory in the Oak Leaf.
#4 Rafeal Bejarano- “Rafi” fell in love with horse racing in his native Peru, where he attended riding school, and won the apprentice title at a local track. Bejarano came to the U.S. in 2002 with the help of Dante Zanelli Sr. and quickly took over my hometown track River Downs. On March 13, 2004 he won a track record 7 races at Turfway Park, then followed that up with 5 more wins the next day. He ended 2004 with the most wins from any jockey, at 455. In 2005 he won riding titles at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park, and Turfway Park, while finishing 4th in earnings that year. On only his second visit to Santa Anita he won 6 races on the card. He has relocated to California so he can ride first call for the great Bobby Frankel. Some of Bejarano’s marquee wins in his short career are the 2005 Filly & Mare Turf with Intercontinental, and the 2007 Breeders Cup Distaff with Ginger Punch.
#5 Kent Desormeaux- This jockey has traveled the world. He became the first foreign jockey to win a Japanese Classic. The race he won was the Japanese Oaks aboard Lady Pastel. Kent has won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice, and for Outstanding Jockey twice. His biggest success has come in the Triple Crown. He has won the Kentucky Derby 3 times on Real Quiet, Fusiachi Pegasus, and Big Brown. He followed up Real Quiet’s win with a win in the Preakness before losing the Belmont by a nose. His biggest wins in 2007 came aboard Corinthian in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, and Met Mile.
Stakes Recap
May 12, 2008
This past weekend had many great stakes races. I was particularly impressed with the Peter Pan, and LA Handicap. Both races gave birth to new stars in two divisions that greatly need them. Casino Drive, who won the Peter Pan will compete heavily for the Belmont Stakes. He is probably the second best three year old right now, and I believe he has room for improvement. Street Boss, who had cleared his allowance ranks and finally moved to stakes company was awe inspiring. He stumbled out of the gate, won easily, and on top of that he broke the track record. With the retirement of Greg’s Gold, this horse is now the big fish in the California sprint division.
The Lonestar Derby didn’t solve much if you ask me. El Gato Malo barely got up, and two lackluster horses were right behind him. I have to question if that one is of top caliber. Samba Rooster ran his race on the front end, but couldn’t hold up. The connections might want to try a Grade III next time. He would likely win. Going back to the Peter Pan, I was disappointed with how Tomcito ran. I think he needs to be farther off the pace, twice in a row I believe the jockey has had him too close early on in the race.
In the Bold Ruler at Belmont, Lucky Island looked very good in his win. Executive Fleet was very disappointing. He was no where to be found when the race heated up. Forefathers, unable to break his losing streak ran third. I’d drop that horse to allowance company just to try and get a win in him. He hasn’t won since 2006.
Peter Pan S. (G2)
Next Post 5:49 Off: 5:17 | 1 1/8 Miles | 3 Year Olds | Stakes | Purse: $200,000
| # | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casino Drive | Desormeaux K J | 116 | 4.50 | 3.90 | 2.80 |
| 3 | Mint Lane | Coa E M | 116 | 13.40 | 7.40 | |
| 6 | Ready’s Echo | Velazquez J R | 116 | 3.50 |
Times in 5ths: :23 :461 1:102 1:351 1:474
Times in 100ths: :23.08 :46.31 1:10.47 1:35.26 1:47.87
Also ran: Golden Spikes, Cosmic, Spark Candle, Tomcito, Deputyville and Fast Talking
Winning Trainer: Fujisawa Kazuo - Owner: Yamamoto, Hidetoshi
$2 Exacta (1-3) Paid $66.50
$2 Trifecta (1-3-6) Paid $225.50
$2 Pick 3 (7-3-1) 3 Correct Paid $99.00 Pick 3 Pool $57,874
$2 Grand Slam (2/7/8-3/7/10-1/3/4-1) Paid $69.50
Los Angeles H. (G3)
Next Post 6:06 Off: 5:35 | 6 Furlongs | 3 Year Olds And Up | Stakes | Purse: $110,500
| # | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Street Boss | Flores D R | 116 | 4.80 | 3.40 | 2.80 |
| 6 | Sailors Sunset | Court J K | 115 | 9.40 | 7.40 | |
| 1 | High Standards | Rosario J | 114 | 9.40 |
Times in 5ths: :213 :434 :552 1:072
Times in 100ths: :21.74 :43.80 :55.41 1:07.55
Also ran: El Manuel (CHI), Bonfante, Barber, Peace Chant, Doppio and Bilo
Winning Trainer: Headley Bruce - Owner: Bluegate Corp., Headley and Naify
$1 Exacta (3-6) Paid $32.00
$2 Quinella (3-6) Paid $44.20
$1 Trifecta (3-6-1) Paid $415.70
$1 Superfecta (3-6-1-7) Paid $2,325.40
$2 Daily Double (9-3) Paid $16.20 Daily Double Pool $41,488
$1 Pick 3 (6-6/9-3) 3 Correct Paid $17.60 Pick 3 Pool $81,599
Bold Ruler H. (G3)
Next Post 5:17 Off: 4:44 | 6 Furlongs | 3 Year Olds And Up | Stakes | Purse: $109,100
| # | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lucky Island (ARG) | Garcia Alan | 115 | 9.20 | 6.00 | 4.60 |
| 1 | Man of Danger | Velazquez J R | 115 | 8.20 | 5.50 | |
| 4 | Forefathers | Desormeaux K J | 116 | 4.00 |
Times in 5ths: :214 :45 :563 1:09
Times in 100ths: :21.95 :45.06 :56.79 1:09.14
Also ran: Council Member, Callmetony, Executive Fleet and Gold and Roses
Winning Trainer: McLaughlin Kiaran P - Owner: Shadwell Stable
$2 Exacta (3-1) Paid $71.50
$2 Trifecta (3-1-4) Paid $287.00
$2 Pick 3 (7-7-3) 3 Correct Paid $149.00 Pick 3 Pool $92,565
Lone Star Derby (G3)
Next Post 6:54 Off: 6:24 | 1 1/16 Miles | 3 Year Olds | Stakes | Purse: $400,000
| # | Horse | Jockey | Weight | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | El Gato Malo | Bejarano R | 122 | 5.40 | 3.80 | 2.80 |
| 9 | Leonides | Migliore R | 122 | 8.20 | 5.60 | |
| 1A | Samba Rooster | Gomez G K | 122 | 2.80 |
Times in 5ths: :224 :461 1:101 1:361 1:43
Times in 100ths: :22.98 :46.27 1:10.20 1:36.32 1:43.04
Also ran: Limestone Edge, My Pal Charlie, Texas Wildcatter, Golden Yank, King’s Silver Son, Ide Like a Double, Real Appeal, Fort Apache, Poni Colada and Isabull
Winning Trainer: Dollase Craig - Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
$2 Exacta (2-9) Paid $69.00
$2 Trifecta (2-9-1) Paid $168.40
$2 Superfecta (2-9-1-10) Paid $1,166.00
$2 Pick 3 (1/5/6-1-2) 3 Correct Paid $37.60 Pick 3 Pool $10,891
