There is nothing quite like the feeling of watching a horse loose on the lead reeling out slow fractions before kicking off to a win. This feeling only comes when you bet that horse though. If you are any other horse panic rises up in your chest as you realize your charge is too far back and wont be able to catch the lone speed. The same panic comes when a horse goes too wide or catches trouble entering the stretch.

In many cases the chances of experiencing this feeling can be removed by playing horses that have razor sharp smart jockeys on their back. Capable journeyman riders are in short supply these days and even the most experienced rider makes a bonehead move from time to time. However, if you stick with these riders you will be in great hands.

#1 Patrick Valenzuela- The 49 year old Montrose, Colorado native rides with ice in his veins and is one of the most fearless people in the entire industry. Nicknamed P-Val, this jockey has a ferocious personality that matches his style on the track. Patrick has the smarts to do the little things that will win races. He won’t force speed to rate and he doesn’t wait too long to pounce.

His best ride, or at least my personal favorite, was the 1989 Preakness Stakes. P-Val rode Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence to perfection in the Preakness Stakes. He masterfully took the lead turning for home with champion Easy Goer to his inside. Easy Goer reclaimed the lead, but P-Val had saved enough to horse retake the lead all while pinning Easy Goer to the rail. This genius ride was one of many from a jockey that has won races seven Breeders Cup races and two Triple Crown races. Other wins include the Santa Anita Handicap (twice), Santa Anita Derby (twice), Met Mile, Kentucky Oaks and the Hollywood Gold Cup. Click here to watch his 1989 Preakness win.

#2 Garrett Gomez- They say to be the best you have to beat the best and that is what Garrett Gomez and Blame did in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic when they beat Zenyatta, arguably the greatest mare to ever step on any racetrack. Gomez timed his ride perfectly and made it to the front with just enough time to spare before the hulking super mare nearly ran Blame down. The jockey did this all while battling a shoulder injury.

Another great ride came in the 2007 Haskell Invitational when he rode the rail on Any Given Saturday before taking over in the stretch for a 4 1/2 length win. This was a special ride because in my mind the horse wasn’t as good as Hard Spun or Curlin, both whom he  beat in that race. Not just that, but the strategy employed was great as he timed the ride perfectly and saved ground. Nicknamed GoGo he has won 12 Breeders Cup races and events like the Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Travers Stakes. The smarts and tactics that Gomez employs have played a huge role in making him one of the best jockeys in America.

#3 Julien Leparoux- I remember watching him for the first time at Turfway Park. He absolutely dominated the place. The Frenchman won so many races it was almost like he was putting on a race riding clinic. Leparoux is effective on the lead, but is better when he lets his mounts lag behind and pounce late. He never panics and that is one of the best things about him. When panic happens so do bad things. Leparoux is arguably the best grass rider in the entire country and by default the world. Although he is just 27 years old he has already won five Breeders Cup races. My favorite Leparoux ride was in the 2009 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. He broke his mount, She Be Wild, third and waited for the right time to make a move. When the time came he had no room on the rail. Leparoux did what he is famous for though; he waited! It paid off as the rail opened up and She Be Wild burst through for a 3/4 length win. This victory is the epitome of a smart ride. Click here to watch it.

#4 Martin Garcia- Although he is young this guy can ride with anyone and his decision making skills are top flight. He proved his by guiding 39-1 shot Champagne d’Oro to victory in the 2010 Acorn Stakes. He broke her to the lead from the 12 hole and rationed her speed perfectly. Garcia never panicked when Buckleupbuttercup made a move for him and waited until exactly the right time to ask his mount for her best stuff when Amen Hallelujah launched her bid. Another great example of his riding ability came when he rode Lookin At Lucky to an enormous win in the Preakness Stakes. Garcia has been riding horses since he was a boy, but didn’t become a jockey until he came to the US. He cut his teeth as a jockey against Russell Baze at Golden Gate Fields. Martin Garcia doesn’t panic, he doesn’t get nervous and he always gives his best. His smarts combined with great decision making will allow him to one day be inducted to the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Click here to watch his 2010 Acorn win.

#5 Ramon Dominguez- Has there ever been a more dominant rider in New York? Maybe so, but Ramon Dominguez is as at least as good as anyone else to ride there regularly. If you want examples of his smart moves just watch him on any given day. Dominguez really moves his mounts up. He can ride well on or off the pace and always has a shot. His best wins came in the 2004 Breeders Cup Turf (Better Talk Now) and the 2004 Wood Memorial (Tapit). Both were strong rides, but it should be noted that he was nearly disqualified after bumping  Kittens Joy in the Breeders Cup Turf. Dominguez won his first Eclipse Award in 2010 and has several strong prospects as he seeks his first Kentucky Derby win. He was second aboard Bluegrass Cat at 30-1 in 2006. Riding that long shot to a second place finish is a testament to his riding ability. Click here to watch his Wood Memorial win.

So there you have it! The above riders are my top 5 active jockeys in terms of smarts/race riding ability. Check back later for my top 5 retired jockeys. Who do you like? Do you disagree with any of my picks or feel I have left someone out? Leave a comment and speak your mind!