Kent's Ride: Stride-by-stride

[the_fat_man]

I'm one of those handicappers who actually does pay attention to jockeys and their rides. Certainly there are general cases and specific ones. There's no doubt that just about any 'professional' jockey can deliver a competent ride. The key, however, is whether he can do it consistently, and whether his 'strengths' fit a particular horse. It's interesting that those closely handicapping races, and trainers, looking for patterns, strengths, weaknesses, etc., would think that the jockey doesn't matter.

One of the best rides of the year, in my opinion, was by Maragh on Roll the Di this past Saturday. Prado butchered her the race before, while Maragh gave her an absolutely flawless ride. She broke from the outside post in both cases, and she probably doesn't win with a trip similar to the one Prado gave her.