the worst jockeys ever

[Scav]

Originally Posted by FairPlay

Don't know if they're the worst jockeys ever, but the worst high profile rides I've ever seen:

1) Kent Desormeaux on Real Quiet in the 1998 Belmont. I don't care what any one else says, had he waited about 3-5 more seconds to make his move, we'd have a living Triple Crown winner right now.

2) Jeremy Rose on Afleet Alex in the 2005 Kentucky Derby. The rail was dead all day and he puts Afleet Alex into a speed duel on the rail and manages to essentially lose the Triple Crown by one length. Shameful ride that doesn't get much play on these boards.

3) Ronnie Franklin on Bid in the 1979 Belmont Stakes: I cut him some slack if there really was a foot problem, but he was on Spectacular Bid. Get on his back and stay out of his way. He could've run his own race and won.

4) Stewie Elliott on Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont Stakes: He had the best horse in the race and ran him into the ground early. Foolish.

5) Kinane on Rock of Gibraltar in the BC Turf. Somebody has already addressed it. Rock was probably the best, most electrifying, and most talented horse in the world and somehow Kinane screwed it up.

I can't wait to get home and address this...I have no idea about #3 but 1,2,4,5 couldn't be farther from the truth IMO

[avance2000]

Originally Posted by FairPlay

Stewie Elliott on Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont Stakes: He had the best horse in the race and ran him into the ground early. Foolish.

you know riding a horse is not exactly like riding a motorcycle. elliot did not "run him into the ground." the horse would not settle and ran himself into the ground.

[MaTH716]

The fact that Rose did not fall of Alex in the Preakness is good enough reason for me for him NOT to make this list. Also didn't Bailey fry Eddington on the lead of the Belmont that year, and Smarty ended up chasing him. I think Bailey caught some heat from Henning for that ride. From what I remember Eddington was a closer. I guess Bailey went out to try to prevent Smarty from winning, than giving his mount a proper ride.

[AeWingnut]

I will never forget Tyler Baze standing up before the wire and just getting caught for show. I had 2 long shots with him boxed and I had another bet with him running 3rd. He stood up
got caught and cost me well over $6k

I am a $2 bettor and don't get too many chances at that kinda payoff. He owes me. My friends always enjoy spinning me up by pointing out that he is on a horse. I don't even consider him. if he wins (very seldom since he lost his bug) I always proclaim that he was dragged kicking and screaming across the finish line.

I don't care for Mike Smith

Pat Day was always a thorn in my side. I include him.. he's no where. Leave him out and he can't stop.

I didn't pay too much attention to him but I understand that Chicago jockey Bernon Slayer was referred to as "The Human Anchor" often

typos dang it

[Uncle Daddy]

Mike Smith and Chop Chop

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by cakes44

I missed the "speed duel on the rail" by Jeremy Rose in the Derby. Afleet Alex had a decent trip for a 20 horse field in my opinion.

Agreed. I may be in the minority, but I thought Rose's ride in the Derby was terrific. And that's from someone who had a Giacomo Afleet Alex exacta.

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by Scav

I can't wait to get home and address this...I have no idea about #3 but 1,2,4,5 couldn't be farther from the truth IMO

I was thinking the same thing. In no particular order-

I thought Rose rode a terrific race. Stayed out of trouble, came out in the drive and just missed.

I'm not a Desormeux fan at all, but had no issue with his Belmont ride. Horse had a 5 length lead with an 1/8 of a mile to go.

Didn't Kinane have to alter course in that race with the breakdown of Landseer?

How many horses took a run at Smarty Jones? Purge? Rock Hard Ten? Eddington? How many of those horses ever showed speed before?

[Linny]

After the derby everyone thought that Rose's ride was great, threading the needle and just missing etc. Then after the incident at Pimlico and his romp in the Belmont suddenly "Rose screwed us out of a Triple Crown with a bum ride" in the Derby. It's revisionist history. He rode a hell of a race to nearly win the Derby, but in avoiding having to slam on the breaks several times he had to weave all over and he was just about a length short. Not bad for kid kid riding the first "big race" of his life.

[cakes44]

Sometimes we see what we think are horrendous rides in SoCal, New York, Gulfstream, etc., and we say they are terrible jocks. Everything is relative, and realistically, all the jocks at these joints are very good, some are just overrated. If you really want to see some guys who are just awful at their chosen profession, watch tracks like Mountaineer, Fonner, etc. For instance, if you get a chance, watch Ernesto Oro on Louis' Star(#7) in the 3rd race at "The Mount" Saturday night. This might be the worst ride of all time. Sorry I'm at work and can't provide a link to calracing.com.