I realize that Prado has a reputation

[the_fat_man]

And actually still puts in a good ride here and there

BUT

how in the world can Serpe justify keeping him on Angelouie after that horror trip of a ride last time out?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

And actually still puts in a good ride here and there

BUT

how in the world can Serpe justify keeping him on Angelouie after that horror trip of a ride last time out?

Nobody is more amazed than I am at how trainers constantly ride the same rider who butchered a horse the previous time, but at least he is riding someone who is usually very good, and in Phil Serpe's case he probably doesn't want to alienate Prado.

There was a NY Bred on the turf last week that John Hertler trained, who clearly should have been second in his prior start, and was totally butchered by, I think, Sebastion Morales. In Morales defense, it was possibly the first turf race he had ridden, or one of the first, but he clearly cost the horse second ( I think he was fifth ). Hertler rode him back and the horse finished third and absolutely should have been unsaddled. But, who knows what Hertler's options were.

Back to the horse in question......Serpe is pretty tough so I would guess that Prado was apologetic. I'm not sure what replacing as good a rider as Prado figures to get him. In this case it's probably, at least somewhat, a question of alternatives.

[Travis Stone]

Marty Magee's story in the DRF on Borel talks about the significant turnover in the top ranks of the jockey kingdom. Long gone is the lone list of top-notch riders.

[the_fat_man]

I ride a significant amount of distance daily.

A few years ago I almost got killed by a motorist in Borough Park. Took me quite a while to get my nerve back, so I can certainly understand what it's like to come back from a spill.

There's a piece of road on my daily ride to the park where there's a sudden loop, very similar to that found in track turns. It's two lanes and cars have a bad habit of pinching from the inside lane on that turn, cause motorists could basically give a **** about the safety of cyclists. It only took a single case of almost getting killed to ALWAYS be aware that cars will pinch when taking that turn and ensure that I'll never be in danger there again.

Now, jockeys are like motorists. They could give a **** about other jockeys to their inside and they ALWAYS pinch on the turns. I find it beyond inexcusable that not only did Prado get pinched on the 1st turn on Angelouie last out, when he really had no business, nothing to gain by, being in that spot, but, it seems, he made quite a habit of it at the GP meet. This, from a journeyman? This, from someone who, arguably, was a top 5 rider as recently as last year?

He really needs to sit down before he hurts himself.

[blackthroatedwind]

Prado's achilles heel has always been an overinfatuation with the rail.

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Prado's achilles heel has always been an overinfatuation with the rail.

See Tale of Ekati

[blackthroatedwind]

Tale of Ekati isn't a bad example. The first time Prado rode him was in the Louisiana Derby, and while it was mostly the start that compromised him, Prado's burying him on the rail thereafter absolutely hurt him further.

He learned from that mistake in the Wood and kept him outside.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Prado's achilles heel has always been an overinfatuation with the rail.

Prado was buried on the rail with at least a half dozen turf runners at the Spa last summer should have had their pictures taken.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

And actually still puts in a good ride here and there

BUT

how in the world can Serpe justify keeping him on Angelouie after that horror trip of a ride last time out?

My betting experiences since Prado has come back to ride since he was sidelined is he is not at the same level prior to the accident. Which still makes him a better than average rider compared to most, but as we kind of touched on the other day with Eric and others. Riders coming back from injuries is never an easy thing.