Mike Smith takes off 'Bird for Belmont

[jpops757]

Originally Posted by CSC

Riding at Belmont is alot different than riding at other tracks, being that it is a 1 1/2 oval. Regardless of what I believe, given that N.Y boasts a very deep Jockey colony I have no trouble asserting that Mine That Bird will not be hurt by Smith's departure. I see the obvious names have been mentioned already but you could name any of the top current 9 in the standings and you would probably gain something on the Jockey change. Borel is good at CD, but did anyone watch him at Oaklawn? Personally I would love to see Lezcano get the chance on the big stage, his style would suit MTB's preferred running style.

He won several riding titles at Hot Springs before he moved to CD. Very few times taking Borel of would be an upgrade, Wy is it so popular to downgrade him? If he has the horse he knows where the lilly pads are and will help a horse win the race either in thr lead or closing.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by jpops757

He won several riding titles at Hot Springs before he moved to CD. Very few times taking Borel of would be an upgrade, Wy is it so popular to downgrade him? If he has the horse he knows where the lilly pads are and will help a horse win the race either in thr lead or closing.

That's fair, all I can use is what I saw of him this spring and he was mediocre from what I saw, though I may sound like a jock basher I'm not really. I respect what these guys do.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Danzig

ugh

sometimes his bag of tricks makes you wonder what he's smoking.

Kent said he had a "bag of tricks" in an interview to help his horse get to the wire. Yes he doesn't know when to shut up sometimes.

[Danzig]

when's the last time a derby winner lost his jock-not once, but twice? i can't recall ever seeing something like this before.

and if...if, IF, mine that bird won the belmont, and calvin happened to be on him--would he then regret the preakness? what a storyline. the jock rode the horse that kept the other from winning the tc....

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Unless Gomez is getting the mount back on Dunkirk, the Belmont winner, I bet he is trying hard to ride Mine That Bird......as are about ten riders.

Surprisingly, to me, Dunkirk had a great work at Belmont today. I would like Coa to be on MTB, and I am still looking for a reason to think Mike Smith is not an ass. Did he tell them in advance he had a prior Belmont day commitment? Sure doesn't seem that way. Very discouraging.

[dagolfer33]

I'd say, let someone who is undefeated at the Breeders Cup ride MTB, LEZCANO!

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

Surprisingly, to me, Dunkirk had a great work at Belmont today. I would like Coa to be on MTB, and I am still looking for a reason to think Mike Smith is not an ass. Did he tell them in advance he had a prior Belmont day commitment? Sure doesn't seem that way. Very discouraging.

In the words of someone a lot more famous

"make it stop, please make it stop"

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

In the words of someone a lot more famous

"make it stop, please make it stop"

What's your problem?

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

What's your problem?

Its obvious what has happened here, it least it is to me, and Mike being the good guy is falling on the sword. I suppose he could tell Shirreffs and Moss to F off but that does not seem to smart.

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

Its obvious what has happened here, it least it is to me, and Mike being the good guy is falling on the sword. I suppose he could tell Shirreffs and Moss to F off but that does not seem to smart.

That's public knowledge, but why is Wooley acting surprised? That's what I don't understand. Having been burned already, you would think the Belmont had to be discussed. Did they just ask if he had a Belmont mount and leave it at that? And Smith said "No...I have no other Belmont commitment that day" and being "honorable" people they didn't think he was leaving anything important out? Very discouraging that people with a hold on my gambling money do this kind of thing.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

That's public knowledge, but why is Wooley acting surprised? That's what I don't understand. Having been burned already, you would think the Belmont had to be discussed. Did they just ask if he had a Belmont mount and leave it at that? And Smith said "No...I have no other Belmont commitment that day" and being "honorable" people they didn't think he was leaving anything important out? Very discouraging that people with a hold on my gambling money do this kind of thing.

I would imagine that they told him this between the time he took the mount and today.

Trainers do this to riders all the time, its funny the shoe is on the other foot for once.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

Very discouraging that people with a hold on my gambling money do this kind of thing.

with all the funny business thats going on in racing with your money on the line this hits a sore spot?

[chucklestheclown]

Honour among thieves.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

He won the Kentucky Derby and ran 2nd in the Preakness to a supieror horse. I really don't know what you are expecting from a jockey upgrade.

i don't know about that. i thought his trip in the preakness was a little shaky. they can get someone better than mike smith. that horse ran huge to get second from where he came from on the pimlico track.

[Seattleallstar]

Mike Smith is no saint, they know what they are doing, why possibly ruin any future rides with Moss/Shireffs. Especially with Zenyatta and his regulars in socal.