Ariel Smith

The Indomitable DrugS · #1 03-22-2009, 07:14 PM

Did anyone catch his riding performance in the 2nd race at Gulfstream Park today?

Yeah, I bet the horse pretty good, and am sour that he got DQ'd - especially when the same stewards took no action with the 7th race winner yesterday - who got away with much worse from a quality and quantity of bumping standpoint.

Still - that was a total PUNK ride. I realize the guy is 1-for-65 and desperate to win ... but he would have won had he just kept a straight course - instead he choose to VERY intentionally and brazenly yank his horse way out to bump with the eventual 2nd place finisher (and throw an elbow) just before the wire.

I don't think I've ever seen a more desperate ride. The head-on is unreal. It's as if he was trying to get DQ'd.

Rudeboyelvis · #2 03-22-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Did anyone catch his riding performance in the 2nd race at Gulfstream Park today?

Yeah, I bet the horse pretty good, and am sour that he got DQ'd - especially when the same stewards took no action with the 7th race winner yesterday - who got away with much worse from a quality and quantity of bumping standpoint.

Still - that was a total PUNK ride. I realize the guy is 1-for-65 and desperate to win ... but he would have won had he just kept a straight course - instead he choose to VERY intentionally and brazenly yank his horse way out to bump with the eventual 2nd place finisher (and throw an elbow) just before the wire.

I don't think I've ever seen a more desperate ride. The head-on is unreal. It's as if he was trying to get DQ'd.

Have you seen the movie "Racing Stripes"? I believe you'll find the noncall on the part of the stewarts in the final scene most aggregious. No matter, the Zebra puts him away regardless (oops spoiler)

The Indomitable DrugS · #3 03-22-2009, 07:31 PM

Zebra racing might not be a bad idea.

I think Ariel Smith would become a top jock if they're ever allowed to ride like they did at the bush tracks in the Seabiscuit movie.

the_fat_man · #4 03-22-2009, 07:33 PM

I'm sure that, somewhere, there are bookies taking action on the Special Olympics. And, it follows, then, that there are people actually betting on Special Olympians. It would be an even bigger stretch, however, to imagine that these people are making it public that they're betting on Special Olympians or, even worse, complaining when one of the Special Olympians ****s up their performance (thereby costing someone money).

Smith is about as close to a Special Olympian as you get in the jockey colony. Seriously. I wouldn't bet this ************ with Chinese money.

Anyone betting money on him is, well, as 'SPECIAL' as he is.

Ariel still can't quite grasp the fact that the winner is the horse crossing the WIRE first and not the one getting the lead on the turn.

blackthroatedwind · #5 03-22-2009, 07:33 PM

Are you sure he would have held off the other horse if he hadn't pulled those shenanigans?

The Indomitable DrugS · #6 03-22-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Anyone betting money on him is, well, as 'SPECIAL' as he is.

It still is horse racing and not jockey racing.

If you look at the Moss pace figures - in his last dirt race - the horse had a 43 Beyer point edge over the rest of the field for the 1st quarter - and a 30 Beyer point edge to the 2nd quarter.

He had his form muddy'd up with a turf race he didn't belong in last out. The 3/5 favorite in the race had only run twice on dirt - and was beaten in an MCL at River Downs at 1/2 odds and was an ugly pressing 2nd, getting left badly by a wire-to-wire winner.

He looked totally loose - and his last race on dirt was better than anyone elses recent dirt races.

The Indomitable DrugS · #7 03-22-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Are you sure he would have held off the other horse if he hadn't pulled those shenanigans?

Perhaps a knee jerk reaction - but I think he would have.

I think him fighting with the horse so much to get him to come way out and intentionally foul the 2nd place finisher real late might have been as disadvantagous to him as the one bump and elbow was to the 2nd place horse considering how late it came in the race.

I went to the track and bet today - and wasn't on computer - so I haven't looked at it again - but it's how I felt watching the re-run's over and over while stewing at the time.