Mike Smith takes off 'Bird for Belmont

[CSC]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

He won the Kentucky Derby and ran 2nd in the Preakness to a supieror horse. I really don't know what you are expecting from a jockey upgrade.

They were good rides, it would be less than credible to even infer they weren't, however in the long run the chances of good rides with these 2 diminishes IMO.

[NTamm1215]

If Rachel goes I'd like to see either Dominguez or Gomez on Mine That Bird.

NT

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

If Rachel goes I'd like to see either Dominguez or Gomez on Mine That Bird.

NT

Dominguez for sure; GG would 'over power' him.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Dominguez for sure; GG would 'over power' him.

Agreed,Big Time!Gomez would beat the sh.it out of him.

[LARHAGE]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Agreed,Big Time!Gomez would beat the sh.it out of him.

You mean like he did to Scrappy T? Oh wait, that was Dominguez.

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

If Rachel goes I'd like to see either Dominguez or Gomez on Mine That Bird.

NT

If they were smart like they were in the derby they would put up a local jock that knows the track and when to put the trigger. Why doesnt Rajiv get much press around here I think he would be a nice fit for the horse

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by kgar311

If they were smart like they were in the derby they would put up a local jock that knows the track and when to put the trigger. Why doesnt Rajiv get much press around here I think he would be a nice fit for the horse

Dominguez and Gomez are Belmont regulars now and both excel, at least in my opinion, with horses coming from off the pace.

Rajiv Maragh is steadily improving but is not near the caliber of RD or GG.

NT

[pointman]

Originally Posted by kgar311

If they were smart like they were in the derby they would put up a local jock that knows the track and when to put the trigger. Why doesnt Rajiv get much press around here I think he would be a nice fit for the horse

The top jocks are local to Belmont. Wooley will have no problem getting a top jock to ride.

[10 pnt move up]

Going out on a limb here but I bet the Moss's and Shirreffs told Mike he is riding the horse at HP.

[Travis Stone]

I would like to see Borel back on... cool story to win the "Jockey Triple Crown" on two different horses.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

Going out on a limb here but I bet the Moss's and Shirreffs told Mike he is riding the horse at HP.

Are you coupling that with the sun sets in the west exacta for $2.10?

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Are you coupling that with the sun sets in the west exacta for $2.10?

I bet on this board I could have gotten even money.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

If Rachel goes I'd like to see either Dominguez or Gomez on Mine That Bird.

NT

I'd like to see Casey Lambert back on him...Since BTW thinks it doesn't matter.

[JerseyJ]

Speaking of Maragh, I still can't get the image out of my head of maybe 2 or 3years ago on Derby Day when I bet Al Basha in a comeback race I believe, and Rajiv Maragh is riding him, he suddenly spurts to a 3-length lead or so in midstretch, and I think I am home free, and then whoops, all of a sudden Maragh just falls off...

[cowgirlintexas]

I think P. Val is available

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

Speaking of Maragh, I still can't get the image out of my head of maybe 2 or 3years ago on Derby Day when I bet Al Basha in a comeback race I believe, and Rajiv Maragh is riding him, he suddenly spurts to a 3-length lead or so in midstretch, and I think I am home free, and then whoops, all of a sudden Maragh just falls off...

I remember that race,it got ugly real quick when he fell off.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by CSC

They were good rides, it would be less than credible to even infer they weren't, however in the long run the chances of good rides diminishes IMO.

You make it sound like guys like Gomez, Dominguez, Prado (whoever you are considering top tier jockeys) are incapable of giving a bum ride. Whoever gets him next probably won't have to worry about navigating around 12 or 18 other horses, the way Borel and Smith did. But reguardless, he seems to be a nice horse (I'll admit I was wrong and thought that he would be off the board at Pimlico) and reguardless who is on him I think he has a good shot in NY if he runs.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

You make it sound like guys like Gomez, Dominguez, Prado (whoever you are considering top tier jockeys) are incapable of giving a bum ride. Whoever gets him next probably won't have to worry about navigating around 12 or 18 other horses, the way Borel and Smith did. But reguardless, he seems to be a nice horse (I'll admit I was wrong and thought that he would be off the board at Pimlico) and reguardless who is on him I think he has a good shot in NY if he runs.

Riding at Belmont is alot different than riding at other tracks, being that it is a 1 1/2 oval. Regardless of what I believe, given that N.Y boasts a very deep Jockey colony I have no trouble asserting that Mine That Bird will not be hurt by Smith's departure. I see the obvious names have been mentioned already but you could name any of the top current 9 in the standings and you would probably gain something on the Jockey change. Borel is good at CD, but did anyone watch him at Oaklawn? Personally I would love to see Lezcano get the chance on the big stage, his style would suit MTB's preferred running style.

[gales0678]

I would use the Mig - Richard Miglore

[jpops757]

Originally Posted by CSC

Riding at Belmont is alot different than riding at other tracks, being that it is a 1 1/2 oval. Regardless of what I believe, given that N.Y boasts a very deep Jockey colony I have no trouble asserting that Mine That Bird will not be hurt by Smith's departure. I see the obvious names have been mentioned already but you could name any of the top current 9 in the standings and you would probably gain something on the Jockey change. Borel is good at CD, but did anyone watch him at Oaklawn? Personally I would love to see Lezcano get the chance on the big stage, his style would suit MTB's preferred running style.

He won several riding titles at Hot Springs before he moved to CD. Very few times taking Borel of would be an upgrade, Wy is it so popular to downgrade him? If he has the horse he knows where the lilly pads are and will help a horse win the race either in thr lead or closing.