Cornelio

[ninetoone]

Is anyone riding better at the Spa right now?

[ateamstupid]

One of, if not THE most underrated rider in the country. Doesn't rack up riding titles, but takes more mounts than nearly any other non-apprentice living, and wins at a steady clip no matter where he goes.

[jwkniska]

and he's always viable on turf too.

[MaTH716]

He has brought in some big prices too. It is not like everything he is riding is 3/2.

[ELA]

All very true. Yes, the most overlooked, underated jock in the game. He flies under the radar a lot. Watch him when he doesn't win. His agent is one of the sharpest guys in the game, and he's been like a meet away from really breaking out -- but it just hasn't happened.

In recent years, he's gotten to the national stage more regularly and that's where he'll find his success, more and more. Anyway, here's why the big-time break-out hasn't happened -- and it has nothing to do with his riding because there he is top-notch. First, he doesn't get that real first call for a top, high % barn. And, for him it's tough. He had it for a while with Mott, but Mott wasn't shooting then like he, for example, is now. Mott has always been a great horseman and a great trainer, but the barn is what it is and if the book doesn't play out, you have to fight it a bit. That's part of the reason why you see certain trainers, on occasion, have a great meet or two, and then just fall apart. CV also doesn't string together a lot of wins like others do, but that to has to do with who is he riding for.

He's had the good horse, maybe even the potential great horse. However, he hasn't had the benefit or exposure of a string of victories or a campaign that gets people noticing and cause them to start giving him regular, big-time calls. He also doesn't put together the lights-out streaks where he really goes on an incredible tear. Yes, there has been signs of true brilliance, but it just doesn't click. The guy is without question riding super -- and for the most part he always has. Very consistent, very reliable. One of his best attributes is that he can be very patient and he's an excellent strategist on the track.

So -- where's the rest of the problem? Laugh if you want, but here it is. One, his face. He rarely, perhaps never, smiles. I'll leave it at that. Two, his language skills. Yes, it's common, but with him it's coupled with what appears to be an almost having to make an effort to speak with you (in general). With some, he's great, but with others, he's not. We've seen similar from other jocks and once they started to change those things, they were able to get to the next level, or break out, etc.

I have the utmost respect for the guy as a jock and would really like to see him get to the next level.

Eric

[cakes44]

He uses up too many horses too early on the dirt for me. Not too many better out of the gate than Cornelio though.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by ELA

All very true. Yes, the most overlooked, underated jock in the game. He flies under the radar a lot. Watch him when he doesn't win. His agent is one of the sharpest guys in the game, and he's been like a meet away from really breaking out -- but it just hasn't happened.

In recent years, he's gotten to the national stage more regularly and that's where he'll find his success, more and more. Anyway, here's why the big-time break-out hasn't happened -- and it has nothing to do with his riding because there he is top-notch. First, he doesn't get that real first call for a top, high % barn. And, for him it's tough. He had it for a while with Mott, but Mott wasn't shooting then like he, for example, is now. Mott has always been a great horseman and a great trainer, but the barn is what it is and if the book doesn't play out, you have to fight it a bit. That's part of the reason why you see certain trainers, on occasion, have a great meet or two, and then just fall apart. CV also doesn't string together a lot of wins like others do, but that to has to do with who is he riding for.

He's had the good horse, maybe even the potential great horse. However, he hasn't had the benefit or exposure of a string of victories or a campaign that gets people noticing and cause them to start giving him regular, big-time calls. He also doesn't put together the lights-out streaks where he really goes on an incredible tear. Yes, there has been signs of true brilliance, but it just doesn't click. The guy is without question riding super -- and for the most part he always has. Very consistent, very reliable. One of his best attributes is that he can be very patient and he's an excellent strategist on the track.

So -- where's the rest of the problem? Laugh if you want, but here it is. One, his face. He rarely, perhaps never, smiles. I'll leave it at that. Two, his language skills. Yes, it's common, but with him it's coupled with what appears to be an almost having to make an effort to speak with you (in general). With some, he's great, but with others, he's not. We've seen similar from other jocks and once they started to change those things, they were able to get to the next level, or break out, etc.

I have the utmost respect for the guy as a jock and would really like to see him get to the next level.

Eric

Really all CV hasn't done is win a TC race. He's ridden more horses than anyone in the top ten money earners and he did win the Gulfstream meet. Just hasn't had the big horse yet. On that I'd agree.