Underrated Jockey
 

I wanted to send some respect out to a favorite jockey of mine, T.D. Houghton. Currently winning at a 27% rate and has 112 wins at the GLD meet compared to 47 for the next best jockey.
This guy lead the country in wins a few years back and ran into some life-threatning injuries. He's at Tampa Bay in the winter where he is always first or second in wins. He also brings home some nice prices when he takes a GLD horse down to Chicago.
He's still plenty young, anybody think will see him on bigger circuits some day?

I use him alot on the grass at Tampa in the winter. I don't follow Great Lakes much, but when I am at the OTB I usually cant resist betting the place as you can find some value in exactas there. Gander loves Great Lakes and all the little christmas trees they have underneath the tote board in the infield.:D

you would think that winning jockies would be in demand every where.

but you look at Russel Baze.. big fish in a small pond. Gets outside of norther
Cali and his contacts are gone. A jockey needs to get the good mounts.

Prado used to be stuck in Maryland

Jon Court started (as far as I know) at Hoosier Park. He did well at Ellis and Oaklawn. Moved out to California and while I haven't had much luck with him the last couple years.. I think he is making a comeback

to answer your question.. Yes. He could take a chance but he could lose what he has at GLD and Tam

I dont know if Court was at Indiana before he rode at Lad and Oaklawn but he rode against Larry Snyder and Don Howard at Lad and Oaklawn,That was awhile ago.

GPK, if you get bored and want some great value, check out the place and show pools at GLD. They don't post them at the track so I get them from my online account. Every race there is a horse with 20% of the win and place pool and only 3% of the show pool. I've hit multiple $10 plus show bets lately on second choice horses.

I would like to see Houghton try and make the switch to Chicago. He takes Bennet's horses down there once in a while and picks up a few mounts. IMO the jockey colonly is pretty weak there. I know some guys that go to the major tracks struggle for a while, but this is a veteran in his prime who wins wherever he goes and he's still at the low of the low tracks (GLD). I'm thinking he must have ties to Michigan and doesn't want to leave.

You would think that he might want to leave GLD, but when you are the head man and are winning that many races, the money still adds up. Maybe he loves Michigan in the summer or has family there...who knows.

I will keep on eye on the show pools there...interesting to say the least.

According to the NTRA bio, began riding at Centennial in Denver in 1980, rode on Louisiana circuit before moving to Kentucky in 1995. Won riding titles at Ellis Park (NUMEROUS times), Turfway, Kentucky Downs, Oaklawn Park, Hoosier Park and (a blast from the past) Birmingham. Moved his tack to So Cal in 2004, has been gradually building up his clientele.

Not on the bio - Jon Court was the secret weapon you looked for on live longshots at Keeneland before Bejerano and Leparoux showed up. (Don't know who the new secret weapon will be.) He's married to Jinx Fires' daughter.

Calvin Borel:D

GPK T.D. Houghton
 

I do believe T.D. is from Michagan.

He is from Michigan. Attended the Univeristy of Michigan while riding at DRC. He ex-wife (who he has a good relationship with) and kids are in Kentucky. I think he had plans to ride full time on the KY circuit when his devastating head injury derailed those plans. He has been back to what he does best (GLD-TAM) to get back to where he was pre injury. He has clients he has ridden for for years and this is his comfort zone. I wouldn't rule out a future attempt at the KY circuit, possibly with next summer's Ellis meet?

Victor Espinoza. He never get mentioned with the top riders in the country, yet he wins riding titles in California and travels across the nation to win his share of big races.

There is such a thing?

:D :D :D

jon court, mark guid

In two years or less the new guy on the scene will Jared Loveberry from GLD. He's not that old and has a bug weight going for him right now. When he gets a few more mounts under he'll take flight I think. I hope he rides at Tampa this year GPK take notice of the kid if he rides at Tampa.

I wish Josh Radensovich was still around, bright future.