Congrats Martin Garcia

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Yeah. He is far from an idiot. He is in the small percentile that doesn't fall into the idiot category. By switching agents Garcia did the right thing. He now is riding for one of the premier trainers. Baffert ALWAYS has the best horses so Garcia will be set. Lone Star Derby...Preakness......kid is on a roll.

How did T Baze fair today at the Mecca of Rubber?

[DerbyCat]

Martin Garcia has a great story, I have no doubt he feels blessed to have the opportunities that he has been afforded. He has been winning a high percentage of races with Baffert and he earned this ride. He still has a lot to learn but considering he's been riding for less than five years, he's done very well for himself. Martin is a good kid and I personally am very happy for him.

On a side note, I found DerbyTrail back in 2006 when I googled Martin's name looking for a newspaper article I had heard about - thank you Martin!

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Best jock in country ? He wasn't even the best in So-Cal.

Not sure if he is top 3. Now that he isnt riding in So-Cal vs a below average colony he won't be getting all the best mounts. He is gonna have quite a battle this summer at MTH and Sar.

I would love to know who you think is the best in the country. Ramon Dominguez? Gomez is the best money rider out there and you knock him for two unlucky rides on LAL? Gomez doesnt ride in bulk but his win % is way above average so he may or may not win riding titles as much as Ramon or Bejarano.

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Martin Garcia has a great story, I have no doubt he feels blessed to have the opportunities that he has been afforded. He has been winning a high percentage of races with Baffert and he earned this ride. He still has a lot to learn but considering he's been riding for less than five years, he's done very well for himself. Martin is a good kid and I personally am very happy for him.

On a side note, I found DerbyTrail back in 2006 when I googled Martin's name looking for a newspaper article I had heard about - thank you Martin!

Also his english has improved 10 fold since he started riding.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I would love to know who you think is the best in the country. Ramon Dominguez? Gomez is the best money rider out there and you knock him for two unlucky rides on LAL? Gomez doesnt ride in bulk but his win % is way above average so he may or may not win riding titles as much as Ramon or Bejarano.

Jerry Bailey

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

On a side note, I found DerbyTrail back in 2006 when I googled Martin's name looking for a newspaper article I had heard about - thank you Martin!

On another side note I bought some nice dinners and other fun things while celebrating Martin Garcia wagered winnings in Northern California very early in his career.

The guy kept his day job at the deli up the steet during his first year of riding thoroughbreds.

"Something to fall back on if it doesn't work out," he said.

I think he made me a reuben once. I try to stay in shape and fit and stuff so I do reubens sparingly. But man, I love 'em.

My wife and I did a wine tasting after The Preakness today.

This glass is hoisted for Martin Garcia!

(we all learned in the 7th inning stretch....."root, root root for the Home Team...")

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Jerry Bailey

Ramon is close.. Bailey was simply way smarter then most and could read a racing forum

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Jerry Bailey

I was refering to active jockeys but I agree about Bailey being one of the best money riders.

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Ramon is close.. Bailey was simply way smarter then most and could read a racing forum

...and he could also read the racing form too.

[Cannon Shell]

he may have a comeback in him

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Gotta give this kid credit. Rode the PERFECT race. Looked like Shoemaker....Arcaro.....out there. I am sure we will see a lot more of him in the future winning Grade I's. Congrats to Martin and Jim Peagram for finally getting this horse home and the win he deserved in one of the biggest races of 2010.

Sharp post.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Sharp post.

Sharp reader....

:-)

[DerbyCat]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

Also his english has improved 10 fold since he started riding.

This is so true, I remember when he started riding for Steve Miyadi - Martin's English was VERY limited but it sounds fine now.

I just really like this kid, Martin and Joe Talamo are my favorites - good people!

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Best jock in country ? He wasn't even the best in So-Cal.

Not sure if he is top 3. Now that he isnt riding in So-Cal vs a below average colony he won't be getting all the best mounts. He is gonna have quite a battle this summer at MTH and Sar.

Gomez doesn't care about being leading rider at a meet. That's not his main goal. He doesn't want to ride 8 horses a day. His goal is to be leading rider in the country in terms of money won. He has done that the last 4 years in a row.

Not only that, but he's not going to be the leading rider at that many meets when he's constantly travelling and missing days. I don't know how you could hold that against him. He's won the national riding title 4 years in a row. A guy can't do much better than that.

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

This is so true, I remember when he started riding for Steve Miyadi - Martin's English was VERY limited but it sounds fine now.

I just really like this kid, Martin and Joe Talamo are my favorites - good people!

I wonder if he still works at that sandwich shop. I recall him still working there while riding horses in No. California. What a humble guy.

[the_fat_man]

Today, Baffert, effectively, pulled Gomez' pants down and paddled him like a (Catholic) school kid. Well deserved, IMO. I'm sure Gomez will dismiss this as easily as he does his MANY blown rides. Sure

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Jerry Bailey

I sent you his DVD's for your birthday

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by philcski

I sent you his DVD's for your birthday

Awesome!

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I would love to know who you think is the best in the country. Ramon Dominguez? Gomez is the best money rider out there and you knock him for two unlucky rides on LAL? Gomez doesnt ride in bulk but his win % is way above average so he may or may not win riding titles as much as Ramon or Bejarano.

Ramon is tons better than Gomez. Right now I feel he is the best in the country hands down. Anyone watching racing the last 2 yrs can see that. Bejarano is another who is better. If guys like Castellano and Lezcano got the mounts Gomez is handed they would easily put up the numbers he has "money wise". Gomez is a good rider no doubt.....but he is by no means better than the guys I just mentioned. One could also argue that Leparoux and Rosario are right up there with Gomez......

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Sharp post.

I thought you wished both your former jockeys well ? You should be happy no?