Quote:
Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER
No, Thursday race #4 horse # 6 ("Brought It.") That's why I say be very careful using this guy on chalk. I mean she was how much the best? Reared at the start(sht happens when he rides chalk,k,) and even if that has nothing to do with the jock, he totally flattens her by going so wide on the apex of the turn. I mean, you can't rear at the start, and go wide on the apex of the turn here. If he stayed reasonably close to saving ground, he easily wins(even with rearing at the start.) Like I said, he probably still should of got the win, because it looked like they let Flores do anything at the end of that race(to hold her off.) I don't have the head-on, but it looks like she had the run to get by, and was herded-intimidated (or anything else Flores could pull out of his trick bag.) Like I said, I don't care about the race. I'm just saying to be very careful with Joel on low odd stuff. I saw progress last week, but this week he had a relapse("Ventana," and "Brought It.") If you don't like to ever blame jocks, then fine. Call it bad luck. Just be aware he has had some "bad luck" on chalk. He likes those 11-1 types like he brought in last Sunday in the 7th. Those types he rides like an absolute champion. In fairness, he rode 2 chalks very well last Friday. He can do it. I wouldn't rely on him on chalk. A couple years ago, Gomez was having trouble on chalk(especially rail trip chalk.) He does it rarely now(2 weeks ago today in the 7th race.) Gomez has improved considerably on chalk. I think Rosario will do the same.
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Watched the replay, to be fair the break cost Brought It.
However, the part I agree with you 100% is the apex of the turn, there is no doubt he should have stayed on the rail going into the turn and the way the race unfolded he would have split horses and won the race probably saving 2 lengths conservatively speaking in the process. Plus the herding mentality you are referring to, I call it cover and for whatever reasons when a horse "splits horses" they seem to have that extra step. Watch Husbands in the third yesterday, even though the horse finished 2nd he almost took down the big favorite with the split move. In post #5 of this thread I observed what Joel's normal style when he rides also.
I don't bet chalk but will keep your observations in mind, the only cautionary thing to add to Joel, is that I see a drop off in the quality of his rides when he steps up to Stakes races, ie Ventana for one. I don't know if he feels more pressure or not but though I loath Mike Smith, he is one Jockey that elevates his game when the stks are higher. I think he mails in some races which I have a problem with him as a rider. Personally I prefer a Garrett Gomez or Richie Migliore who seem to ride claiming races as they were stakes races, Stevens was like this also. He was quoted once as saying he was very mindful of the bettors and I really respected that coming from a guy of his level.