Garrett or John R.?
 

Guys... Before I ask this, I apologize if this has been brought up in different threads or in post-Belmont interviews with Pletcher:

Who deserves future mounts on Rags? Garrett Gomez rode her before this race, and would've if Pletcher would've entered her at an earlier date. But Johnny V. wins Pletcher his first TC race riding her today.

So who would you give future Rags mounts to?

Johnny V imo.....he's a superior rider...and Pletchers #1....The only reason Gomez got the ride was becaue Pletcher had a string in California....

Johnny V, because Garrett Gomez sucks.:)

Read in the paper this morning that Pletcher in response to a question from Gomez's agent Ron Anderson said that it would be "awfully hard" to replace Johnnie V if the filly won the race.

I would not think John V is going anywhere...

Although I would have prospered with Curlin on top, I was very happy for him.

Doesn't really matter. The Filly is going to run well no matter who rides her.

Its always gonna go to JR

[quote=Samarta]Johnny V imo.....he's a superior rider.



ummmmmmmmmmmmm no

It's been decided...Johnny V.

Velazquez. Gomez knew that Rags was under consideration for the race and still signed on the dotted line to ride Hard Spun. Sucks for him.

Johnny took her and Pletcher to the promised land, he gets the mount from now on.

I'm pretty sure Pletcher told him and JV to look for other mounts because he wasn't sure what he wanted them to do and didn't want them to be without mounts if he decided against running. Gomez was offered the mount on Rags first but Porter wouldn't let him off Hard Spun. Slew's Tizzy's connections were more understanding so JV was able to get on Rags. Pletcher told Gomez's agent that if Rags won, Johnny would keep her so that's what's happening . . . Makes sense. . .

When Pletcher announced Rags was entered, Gomez's agent tried to get him off of Hard Spun.....Jones said no and that was it....which imo was a totally idiotic move on Jones part.....the last thing I want riding my horse in any race is a jock that doesn't want to be on it...

:D :D

:) When they hugged, I wonder if GG said "you're welcome"

But how do you punish Gomez for taking another ride. Or for the fact that Jones didnt let him off HS? How is that his fault? I think its pretty sh*tty, if u ask me. umm not that they did, just adding my 2 cents.:D

Well another weay to look at it... and this question is probably impossible to answer, but-

If Gomez would've rode Rags, is he a head-bob worse than Jonny V's ride?

There are two schools of thought on letting a jock out of a call -- either you want the jock because you gave him the call in the first place, and you know he's a pro; or you don't want a jock on your horse who would rather be riding another horse in the race.

In reality, those aren't the core issues. On the former, when you are talking about these kinds of jocks, it's not an issue -- these guys are professionals, and we are talking about the Belmont Stakes. On the latter -- the real issue is letting the guy out of the call and finding a new jock. The guy you gave the call to has been on the horse, maybe put him through his final preps, maybe schooled him, he's begun to get to know the horse, etc. Now you let him jump ship and find someone else?

It's all part of the mental poker game.

Eric

My guess would be that if the jocks had been switched around, the pace probably would have played out differently and Curlin would have won...but thankfully it didn't turn out that way.