Serious Jockey Shortage?
I mentioned in a previous post how sad it was that the racing world lost Pat Day, Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens all in the same year, all to retirement. And there's no Chris McCarron, Mike Smith or Shane Sellers either, just to name a few. The real impact of this didn't hit me until the last few days when I realized who is left to choose from. Here's my top three of who is still riding.
Edgar Prado - Probably my favourite of the three. Prado is the regular rider of Barbaro, Keyed Entry, First Samurai and Strong Contender....all Derby possibles/probables. He can't ride four horses and is going to have to make a choice and soon. Three of these horses are going to need another jockey, and as you read on, you'll see there's not alot left to choose from. Prado rides Keyed Entry today in the Wood and dependent on that one's performance, I think he'll be choosing between him and Barbaro. I have a pretty strong feeling that he'll be going with Barbaro, barring any unforeseen injuries/scratches, etc. In any event, he's taken.
Alex Solis - Always loved this guy, superb jockey. But he is the regular rider of Brother Derek and there is no way he's giving up this mount unless some catastrophe occurs.
Corey Nakatani - He is the regular rider of A.P. Warrior, and again unless A.P. Warrior scratches, he's taken. Funnily enough, although Nakatani is one of the all-time leading/high profile riders, I've never cared for him. He gets results, but he's never been one of my faves. The only exception was his win on Lit de Justice in the 1996 Breeders Cup Sprint here at Woodbine. That was what I consider to be
one of the most brilliant rides by any jockey I have ever seen.
So what does that leave us with? In no particular order these are the jockeys that I personally consider to be the best of who's left -
Kent Desormeaux - riding Sweetnorthernsaint today in the Illinois Derby. If this horse doesn't make it to the Kentucky Derby, Desormeaux may become available, and if I were a trainer, I'd be snapping him up. Hello Bob Baffert, are you listening?
Victor Espinoza - was the regular rider on Bob and John, but Bob Baffert has removed him and replaced him with Garrett Gomez for today's Wood Memorial. Bob and John was one of my early choices, but not with Garrett Gomez in the irons. Whatcha doin Baffert?
Jeremy Rose - is the regular rider of Great Point, who is a possible for the Derby, and I stress possible. I'm not sure where he is running next, but dependent on that race Rose may be available come Derby day. This kid is brilliant, absolutely an outstanding jockey and has been since his apprentice year. I'd be down on my knees begging him to ride my horse if I had one. And Mr. Baffert, young Jeremy would look awesome on Point Determined.
John Velazquez - is the regular rider of Bluegrass Cat, another Derby possible, although I don't see him making it there. If Velazquez becomes available he will be snapped up pretty quickly I'm sure.
Patrick Valenzuela - is riding Racketeer today in the Illinois Derby. I highly doubt that Racketeer will make it to Louisville though, so Valenzuela may be free. Despite his highly publicized and sad battle with cocaine addiction (and multiple suspensions), you can't ignore his natural talent and I'd be willing to take a chance on him if I were a trainer....and pray that he can keep his nose clean (pun intended).
I was going to add Jorge Chavez to the list here, but am not even sure if he's still riding or not? Maybe Mrracetrack would know? Another very good and capable jockey IMO.
So with a possible twenty horses starting in the Derby, you can see there is a serious jockey shortage. Lots of jockeys out there, but not with the kind of experience and capabilities and nerve that this race requires. Not in my opinion anyway. The Kentucky Derby is a jockey's race, just as much as it is a horse race. I would hate to be a trainer right now with a horse headed to the Derby, unless you've got one of the top three committed to you. I'd really hate to be the trainer of the three "other" horses that Prado will have to decline the ride on. They are going to be left scrambling when he makes his final decision. And as much as I like and respect Bob Baffert, I cannot figure out his strategy. He has replaced Garrett Gomez with Rafael Bejarano on Point Determined for today's race. Both of them are regular riders for him, but with Victor Espinoza available, why not use him instead? And why did he remove Espinoza as the rider for Bob and John to begin with? And replace him with Garrett Gomez? Espinoza is Baffert's top rider, shouldn't he be on at least one of Baffert's horses today? I don't get it. Anyway, just some more points to ponder..and some more variables to consider in picking a horse. My final choice will certainly be influenced by who the rider will be.
I'm praying that young Jeremy becomes available for the race, and that some trainer sees the value in having him ride. What he pulled off in last year's Preakness aboard Afleet Alex should prove his worth to any trainer.
Mrracetrack, I'd be interested to see if you agree with me about the jockey situation this year....and if you have anyone else that I've maybe overlooked who should be added onto the list of top remaining jockeys? I'm sure there must be at least one or two, and I bet you have some favourites that I haven't even thought of. Looking forward to any comments you may have.