Jockeys and agents as cappers

jpops757 · #1 03-15-2007, 09:02 AM

With Gomez giving up the mount on Cobalt Blue, is this a signal that he is behind as far as a serious contender for the roses? He and Deadly Dealer were a couple that I was looking to close the gap on the front runners. Maybe I was being unreasonable . Looking for opinions

Linny · #2 03-15-2007, 09:32 AM

Who is Gomez riding? Did he have a prior commitment? Is the trainer of said horse a guy he rides alot of horses for?
Jocks and agents want to ride winners but with stakes type stock they are also looking "down the road" to preserve a mount on a top class colt. Also, if they have a long standing "first call" for a certain trainer, they may be obligated to ride him in a stakes where they might have preferred another mount.

10 pnt move up · #3 03-15-2007, 09:41 AM

what is more likely is gomez told them he wont be riding this horse past this race as he is "pletcher" committed and they made a change now.

jpops757 · #4 03-15-2007, 10:13 AM

It appears that it more of a choice of Blue Cobalt and Ravel and not an Air Commander over Blue Cobalt. Oneil could have even have replaced him because of probaly no commitmet beyond this week ends race. Without looking at the big picture it could be very easy to move air comander up with the change in jockeys and evaluating as a prefrance of Gomez for Air comander. While it was a Ravel over Oneils horse. Baffert just picked up gomez because he was available.

PPerfectfan · #5 03-15-2007, 11:04 AM

Honestly I dont think Garrett is giving up much by passing on Cobalt Blue right now. He is way behind and will not make the Derby.

jpops757 · #6 03-15-2007, 01:12 PM

I agree with you but my opinion is that with GGs position on Ravel that Oneil probaly opted to get a rider that is more liely to stay with Blue should he show he will be a TC colt. Im sure the way things shake out now its a no brainer for GG to stay with Team Pletcher .

horseofcourse · #7 03-15-2007, 01:37 PM

It means nothing. John Velasquez gave up Afleet Alex for Bandini after they negotiated to get him on AA over Rose...then Alex came up sick in the Rebel and that was the last of JV on AA. Read nothing into that at all.