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

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!

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.

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

Jerry Bailey

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...")

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

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

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

he may have a comeback in him

Sharp post.

Sharp reader....

:-)

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!

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.

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.

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.:rolleyes: Sure

I sent you his DVD's for your birthday

Awesome! :$::$:

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......

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