Is Ramon Dominguez the top rider in the Country??

[jballscalls]

I know many consider NY the best circuit in the country, and Ramon Dominguez is clearly dominating there. Jason Blewitt just said on the replay show that RD "shows why he's the best rider in NY, Saratoga, or the country for that matter"

So I ask, is he the top rider in the country right now?

[NTamm1215]

I think so. The guy makes far more perfect decisions than bad ones and his ability to judge the pace from on it, just off it, or way off it, is amazing.

If he's not the best then he's a very close 2nd or 3rd.

NT

[the little guy]

His ride on Kristy with a K was a defining moment.

[turfnsport]

I've considered him the best five years running...you are just catching up :lol:

[jballscalls]

His ride on Kristy with a K was a defining moment.

I think it was after that race on the replay show when Jason said his comment :)

[bisket]

no prado is #1

[exiles]

I know many consider NY the best circuit in the country, and Ramon Dominguez is clearly dominating there. Jason Blewitt just said on the replay show that RD "shows why he's the best rider in NY, Saratoga, or the country for that matter"

So I ask, is he the top rider in the country right now?

Dominguez has a long, long way to go before he is considered the best rider in NY never mind the country.

[NTamm1215]

Dominguez has a long, long way to go before he is considered the best rider in NY never mind the country.

Really? His consecutive riding titles at the two biggest meets of the year aren't enough?

I'm not sure how much NY racing you watch and I'd love to hear who you think is better.

NT

[Imriledup]

Rafael Bejarano is the best rider in the land.

[Grits]

Dominguez has--the natural gift--"the clock in his head," which, of course, all jockeys don't have.

His sense of timing--when to move, where to move, make him the best rider in the country. Jason was right.

Gomez and others, they're running for second money.

[Imriledup]

Dominguez has--the natural gift--"the clock in his head," which, of course, all jockeys don't have.

His sense of timing--when to move, where to move, make him the best rider in the country. Jason was right.

Gomez and others, they're running for second money.

Gomez? Bejarano is 3 lengths better than Gomez.

[Grits]

IMRU, sure he is. But there WAS a time, Gomez was flavor of the month. When one doesn't watch SoCal racing everyday, watching NY instead, one can still recall Gomez' short time as a member of the NY jock colony. Too, one can recall Bejarano's time in the Midwest, as well as LeParoux's time in SoCal.

Some of these guys move around a lot. Dominguez hasn't. Think he's a fine rider.

[Imriledup]

IMRU, sure he is. But there WAS a time, Gomez was flavor of the month. When one doesn't watch SoCal racing everyday, watching NY instead, one can still recall Gomez' short time as a member of the NY jock colony. Too, one can recall Bejarano's time in the Midwest, as well as LeParoux's time in SoCal.

Some of these guys move around a lot. Dominguez hasn't. Think he's a fine rider.

RAD is great. GOGO had his run of success and he's come back to earth a bit. No doubt RAD is a top notch guy.

[WinterTriangle]

I think there has to be categories.

Reading a horse, multitasking, least risk-adverse, etc.

[Imriledup]

I think there has to be categories.

Reading a horse, multitasking, least risk-adverse, etc.

imo, a great rider is a guy who will go in tight traffic to win a cheap claiming race and a rider who will be all out to hang on for 3rd in that same race. A lot of these top guys won't give you your money's worth on every ride, they mail in the cheap races, esp when they are beat.

[jognlope]

I wish I'd see Kristy with a K. I always check to see if Tagg had a winner, will watch on replays tomorrow.

[thespaah]

His ride on Kristy with a K was a defining moment.
Yep..RD bided his time, found an opening and with a ton of horse made what lesser riders would have considered a bad trip into a great trip.

[exiles]

Really? His consecutive riding titles at the two biggest meets of the year aren't enough?

I'm not sure how much NY racing you watch and I'd love to hear who you think is better.

NT

I've been watching AND wagering on NY racing since 1973, during the Belmont meet if you watch the races closely Dominguez had way too many bad rides, he is riding better at the SPA but still PRADO J.V, KENT.D, COA GARCIA CASTELANO are better in NY GOMEZ ,BEJERANO ,ALBARADO else where, but R.D is the king of DEL, and THE inner track at the big A ,when the big guns are in FLA.

[gheuks]

prado prado prado

[turfnsport]

I've been watching AND wagering on NY racing since 1973, during the Belmont meet if you watch the races closely Dominguez had way too many bad rides, he is riding better at the SPA but still PRADO J.V, KENT.D, COA GARCIA CASTELANO are better in NY GOMEZ ,BEJERANO ,ALBARADO else where, but R.D is the king of DEL, and THE inner track at the big A ,when the big guns are in FLA.


COA????? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Robert Goren]

I've been watching AND wagering on NY racing since 1973, during the Belmont meet if you watch the races closely Dominguez had way too many bad rides, he is riding better at the SPA but still PRADO J.V, KENT.D, COA GARCIA CASTELANO are better in NY GOMEZ ,BEJERANO ,ALBARADO else where, but R.D is the king of DEL, and THE inner track at the big A ,when the big guns are in FLA. COA? Really? I don't think that right. GARCIA gives up the lead too often when challanged early on got to be front types. DOMINGUEZ is the man right now in NY. I still GOMEZ is better.

[the little guy]

Yep..RD bided his time, found an opening and with a ton of horse made what lesser riders would have considered a bad trip into a great trip.


It was his position into the first turn that won the race for him.

[NikeUnlimited]

Kent Desormeaux IMO. Especially in big races.

[Imriledup]

Kent Desormeaux IMO. Especially in big races.

ONLY in big races. KJD is not a guy you want on a short priced claimer trying to hold on for 3rd or 4th once beaten. Kent rides when he feels like riding.

[SoCalCircuit]

Rosarios becoming my man in the west. He's got to be one of the most honest jockeys, along with Rafael. He'll give you 100% whether its winning a G1 or hanging on for 3rd in a claimer. As far as the country goes? Got to be dominguez or kent d.

[RHANDIE]

I think all the guys mentioned are very close in talent so it's basically just our personal opinions. I personally favor Gomez as I think he is the best big race rider and he is one of the few guys who can physically make a difference, no one finishes better than him and this guy has kicked my ass too many times when I leave him off tickets that it kills me, I now almost have to throw him in no matter what he's on, that's how much I respect him now, I also really like Dominguez as well as Bejarano and Mike Smith as well, he is a big race rider as is Kent. In the other direction we have completely over rated riders like JV and Prado should consider hanging it up now. :(

[Jeff P]

Some stats - Here's what I have for the first 6 months of 2009 - just post time favorites (as a way of equalizing probability of a win somewhat) - and just those riders with 20 or more wins:
************************************************** **************************************
BY RIDER sorted by wins Run Date: 9/3/2009 10:46:19 PM
************************************************** **************************************
WIN WIN WIN PLACE PLACE
UDM PLAYS WINS PCT IMPACT ROI PLACES PCT ROI
************************************************** **************************************
BAZE R A 370 141 0.3811 1.0705 0.7665 226 0.6108 0.8512
DOMINGUEZ R A 301 138 0.4585 1.2879 0.9485 193 0.6412 0.9277
CENTENO D E 226 82 0.3628 1.0191 0.8128 133 0.5885 0.9208
LEPAROUX JULIEN R 196 72 0.3673 1.0317 0.8913 113 0.5765 0.8936
BEJARANO R 206 67 0.3252 0.9135 0.8199 108 0.5243 0.817
GOMEZ G K 197 64 0.3249 0.9126 0.7548 105 0.533 0.8152
ROSARIO JOEL 154 61 0.3961 1.1126 1.0779 85 0.5519 0.9032
CRUZ M R 138 58 0.4203 1.1806 0.8877 83 0.6014 0.8543
ALBARADO R J 152 54 0.3553 0.998 0.8391 87 0.5724 0.8697
ALVARADO F T 125 52 0.416 1.1685 0.9304 73 0.584 0.8292
BRIDGMOHAN S X 143 52 0.3636 1.0213 0.8133 92 0.6434 0.9552
COHEN DAVID 125 51 0.408 1.1461 0.8904 77 0.616 0.9176
LEBRON VICTOR 143 50 0.3497 0.9823 0.7972 76 0.5315 0.7958
HOMEISTER R B JR 126 47 0.373 1.0477 0.8373 72 0.5714 0.8861
TRUJILLO E 127 47 0.3701 1.0396 0.8106 78 0.6142 0.8996
LEZCANO JOSE 120 47 0.3917 1.1003 0.9979 74 0.6167 0.965
MARAGH RAJIV 125 43 0.344 0.9663 0.7844 69 0.552 0.8268
CASTRO E 101 42 0.4158 1.168 0.9262 67 0.6634 0.9663
CARMOUCHE K 111 41 0.3694 1.0376 0.8802 58 0.5225 0.8306
DESORMEAUX K J 100 40 0.4 1.1236 1.05 53 0.53 0.9045
GONCALZES LEANDRO R 90 39 0.4333 1.2171 1.0556 55 0.6111 0.9511
KARLSSON INEZ 115 37 0.3217 0.9036 0.7504 62 0.5391 0.8113
HUSBANDS P 114 36 0.3158 0.8871 0.7377 66 0.5789 0.9123
MENA M 92 36 0.3913 1.0992 0.95 54 0.587 0.913
CORBETT G W 76 35 0.4605 1.2935 1.0039 53 0.6974 0.9908
THORNTON T G 79 35 0.443 1.2444 0.9861 45 0.5696 0.8146
PENNINGTON F 86 35 0.407 1.1433 1.0081 46 0.5349 0.8552
BOREL C H 94 35 0.3723 1.0458 0.8335 57 0.6064 0.9596
EMIGH C A 113 35 0.3097 0.8699 0.7664 60 0.531 0.8478
COA E M 102 34 0.3333 0.9362 0.8956 54 0.5294 0.8412
VELAZQUEZ J R 112 34 0.3036 0.8528 0.725 51 0.4554 0.7094
ANTONGEORGI WILLIAM 91 33 0.3626 1.0185 0.8319 61 0.6703 0.9775
ROSE J 106 33 0.3113 0.8744 0.683 61 0.5755 0.833
LOPEZ C C 89 32 0.3596 1.0101 0.918 46 0.5169 0.8219
BARTON J 68 31 0.4559 1.2806 0.9456 44 0.6471 0.9301
TOHILL K S 67 31 0.4627 1.2997 0.9149 46 0.6866 1.003
BAIRD E T 64 30 0.4688 1.3168 1.0953 37 0.5781 0.918
MEDELLIN A 63 30 0.4762 1.3376 0.9825 39 0.619 0.9476
PRADO E S 109 30 0.2752 0.773 0.6986 45 0.4128 0.683
ALLEN R D JR 106 29 0.2736 0.7685 0.7047 59 0.5566 0.917
EIKLEBERRY RY 78 29 0.3718 1.0444 0.7795 46 0.5897 0.8244
MARTINEZ S B 100 29 0.29 0.8146 0.597 46 0.46 0.649
BAZE T C 89 28 0.3146 0.8837 0.7933 51 0.573 0.8972
TORRES F C 54 28 0.5185 1.4565 1.25 39 0.7222 1.1102
DIEGUEZ W 58 27 0.4655 1.3076 1.0017 39 0.6724 0.9526
THOMPSON T J 80 27 0.3375 0.948 0.8238 41 0.5125 0.8225
BERRY M C 71 27 0.3803 1.0683 0.8592 43 0.6056 0.8444
SIMINGTON D E 75 26 0.3467 0.9739 0.8387 40 0.5333 0.8773
SMITH M E 49 26 0.5306 1.4904 1.1429 27 0.551 0.8204
SCHVANEVELDT C P 75 25 0.3333 0.9362 0.7693 45 0.6 0.878
LYNCH F 90 25 0.2778 0.7803 0.7011 45 0.5 0.78
ESPINOZA V 48 25 0.5208 1.4629 1.3312 31 0.6458 1.1
CASTELLANO A JR 52 25 0.4808 1.3506 0.9558 26 0.5 0.6962
GARCIA A 82 25 0.3049 0.8565 0.7921 42 0.5122 0.8713
VELASQUEZ CORNELIO 83 25 0.3012 0.8461 0.7199 40 0.4819 0.7572
ALVARADO R JR 61 24 0.3934 1.1051 0.9066 36 0.5902 0.9123
GRAHAM J 99 24 0.2424 0.6809 0.6606 43 0.4343 0.7202
PAUCAR E 77 23 0.2987 0.839 0.6247 46 0.5974 0.8474
MARTIN E M JR 44 23 0.5227 1.4683 1.2205 30 0.6818 1.0341
LUZZI M J 58 23 0.3966 1.114 0.9371 33 0.569 0.8733
BRAVO J 61 22 0.3607 1.0132 0.8639 38 0.623 0.9566
SUTHERLAND C 58 22 0.3793 1.0654 1.0319 33 0.569 0.9552
THERIOT H J II 83 21 0.253 0.7107 0.5795 47 0.5663 0.8301
ELLIOTT S 56 21 0.375 1.0534 0.8839 31 0.5536 0.9098
LANDEROS CHRIS 45 21 0.4667 1.311 1.1956 33 0.7333 1.1344
NAPRAVNIK ANNA R 58 21 0.3621 1.0171 0.9017 32 0.5517 0.8345
LANERIE C J 49 21 0.4286 1.2039 1.1918 31 0.6327 1.0878
PEREZ E E 54 21 0.3889 1.0924 0.8519 29 0.537 0.8056
POMPELL T L 46 20 0.4348 1.2213 1.0783 23 0.5 0.7967
PRESCOTT R 48 20 0.4167 1.1705 1.0604 27 0.5625 0.8615
MEIER BRANDON 48 20 0.4167 1.1705 0.8812 28 0.5833 0.801
NUNEZ E O 47 20 0.4255 1.1952 0.966 31 0.6596 0.9883
CONTRERAS LUIS 65 20 0.3077 0.8643 0.7769 36 0.5538 0.86

Same time period, post time favorites only, but this time big races (graded stakes) only and just those riders with 1 or more wins:
************************************************** **************************************
BY RIDER sorted by wins Run Date: 9/3/2009 10:49:30 PM
************************************************** **************************************
WIN WIN WIN PLACE PLACE
UDM PLAYS WINS PCT IMPACT ROI PLACES PCT ROI
************************************************** **************************************
GOMEZ G K 30 12 0.4 1.0989 0.87 16 0.5333 0.7933
LEPAROUX JULIEN R 22 9 0.4091 1.1238 0.8227 12 0.5455 0.7568
BOREL C H 9 6 0.6667 1.8315 1.1389 6 0.6667 0.9222
SMITH M E 8 5 0.625 1.717 1.075 5 0.625 0.775
DOMINGUEZ R A 9 5 0.5556 1.5263 1.0889 7 0.7778 1.0944
VELAZQUEZ J R 9 4 0.4444 1.2208 1.0778 6 0.6667 0.8778
GARCIA A 7 4 0.5714 1.5697 1.7857 4 0.5714 1.1071
BAZE T C 5 4 0.8 2.1977 2.36 5 1 1.72
CASTELLANO J J 10 4 0.4 1.0989 0.93 7 0.7 1.015
ESPINOZA V 4 3 0.75 2.0603 1.65 3 0.75 1.2
SAEZ GABRIEL 8 3 0.375 1.0302 1.2 4 0.5 0.9875
DESORMEAUX K J 9 2 0.2222 0.6104 0.6667 3 0.3333 0.6333
COA E M 3 2 0.6667 1.8315 1.9333 2 0.6667 1.1
BEJARANO R 13 2 0.1538 0.4225 0.3692 7 0.5385 0.7538
PRADO E S 14 2 0.1429 0.3926 0.3357 6 0.4286 0.6857
ROSARIO JOEL 3 2 0.6667 1.8315 1.5 2 0.6667 0.9667
BAZE R A 4 2 0.5 1.3736 0.775 2 0.5 0.6
MARAGH RAJIV 6 1 0.1667 0.4579 0.3667 4 0.6667 0.9417
BRIDGMOHAN JERMAINE 2 1 0.5 1.3736 1.25 2 1 1.5
SOLIS A 5 1 0.2 0.5494 0.3 1 0.2 0.26
LANERIE C J 3 1 0.3333 0.9156 0.8333 2 0.6667 0.9
GRYDER A T 4 1 0.25 0.6868 0.775 1 0.25 0.5
GRAHAM J 2 1 0.5 1.3736 1.6 1 0.5 0.8
LUZZI M J 1 1 1 2.7471 1.85 1 1 1.1
CASTRO E 2 1 0.5 1.3736 1.5 2 1 1.4
SUTHERLAND C 1 1 1 2.7471 3 1 1 1.5
TALAMO JOSEPH 3 1 0.3333 0.9156 0.5 3 1 1.4167
HUSBANDS P 1 1 1 2.7471 3.15 1 1 1.7
FLORES D R 4 1 0.25 0.6868 0.75 2 0.5 0.825
ARAMBULA PEDRO 1 1 1 2.7471 2.2 1 1 1.2
NUNEZ E O 1 1 1 2.7471 2.7 1 1 1.6
TRUJILLO E 2 1 0.5 1.3736 1.7 2 1 2
THERIOT H J II 3 1 0.3333 0.9156 0.7667 2 0.6667 0.9

-jp

.

[Jeff P]

Just for fun, same time period, Mike Smith only, and name of horse is not Zenyatta:
query start: 9/3/2009 10:58:06 PM
query end: 9/3/2009 10:58:07 PM
elapsed time: 1 seconds

Data Window Settings:
999 Divisor Odds Cap: None

SQL: SELECT * FROM STARTERHISTORY
WHERE YEAR = 2009
AND RIDER = 'SMITH M E'
AND HORSENAME <> 'ZENYATTA'


Data Summary Win Place Show
Mutuel Totals 471.80 477.80 538.50
Bet -624.00 -624.00 -624.00
Gain -152.20 -146.20 -85.50

Wins 52 91 130
Plays 312 312 312
PCT .1667 .2917 .4167

ROI 0.7561 0.7657 0.8630
Avg Mut 9.07 5.25 4.14



-jp

.

[redshift1]

Leparoux, does not panic and most important will not beat a horse with the whip like some riders. Number 2 in earnings without riding for a major stable.

[NTamm1215]

I've been watching AND wagering on NY racing since 1973, during the Belmont meet if you watch the races closely Dominguez had way too many bad rides, he is riding better at the SPA but still PRADO J.V, KENT.D, COA GARCIA CASTELANO are better in NY GOMEZ ,BEJERANO ,ALBARADO else where, but R.D is the king of DEL, and THE inner track at the big A ,when the big guns are in FLA.

He had too many bad rides in a meet where he broke the record for wins?

Dominguez struggled early in the meet when the rail was dead. I do remember Summer Share causing him a problem early in the meet when he rode a dead rail. Other than that, the guy was unstoppable for the better part of late May, June, and July.

Prado- This guy cannot get horses out of the gate anymore and he's lost multiple stretch long battles at this meet. I.E. August 3rd nightcap when he's outdueled by apprentice K. Castillo. How about his ride on Stormy Relations in the Lake Luzerne on opening week where he looks like the tin man in midstretch unable to get the horse to finish?

Johnny V- The king of the wide and off cover trip. Give me a break if you think this guy is a better rider than Dominguez. Quick, how many wins does JV have in turf routes at the Spa? That's right, Dominguez had more- on Thursday's card!

Coa- Mr. 8% at Belmont? Coa has completely lost it when it comes to rating horses on the front end, his timing is terrible and he can't finish. How did he lose aboard Skip Away Belle when she was three lengths in front with 100 yds to go?

The only ones I'd entertain a thought of being comparable with Dominguez are Desormeaux and Garcia when they're on their game. The problem is, they're not often enough. RD gives the perfect ride much more often than those two. He's never afraid to save ground, rides every race like its the biggest he's ever been in and he never gives anyone around him a break if it's going to make their trip easier.

If you honestly think that Robby Albarado is a better rider than Dominguez then I've completely wasted my time in replying. Look at Albarado's stats at Saratoga. Hell, look at them in KY, where he's not even the best rider.

NT

[46zilzal]

Easily in a class by himself. Haven't seen dominance like this since Laffit was a young rider

[Bochall]

I've considered him the best five years running...you are just catching up :lol: Right on dude. I've been going to the Preakness for about 11 years now and was amazed at the mountain of wins Ramon would pile up that week and weekend. Wished he would do more than his cameos at Bel and Sar (and riding Aqu inner) as I (and you) KNEW he would win in NY. Very proud of him after the flack for his Scrappy T ride that almost felled Afleet Alex. He almost wired 'em at great odds that day and gets no credit for it. If you look back in the early 2000s he won the race AFTER the Preakness about 4 years in a row...a great angle on that day when fools' money is bet on the finale.

[Java Gold@TFT]

The only one in NY who is riding as consistently as Domonquez is Alan Garcia. He does just as well on the turf where race riding is at a higher premium. The riders in NY right now that I never question what kind of ride I might get are Dominguez, Garcia, Leparoux and Desourmeux. There are many others that are very good but I do look at how they fit the horse. I don't follow the rest of the country on a daily basis but I have never been disappointed with Gomez' rides.

[SoCalCircuit]

Dominguez is the best at saratoga handsdown. Sure he generally gets the best mounts therefore more wins, but he gets the best mounts because hes the best jockey. Lepaureaux and Desearmeaux are next in line, then maybe Albarado and Maragh. Prado has done nothing lately and just isnt good anymore. John V. is okay but he's too one dimensional, always pulling the same closing from 5 wide. I don't think I've seen Coa in the winners circle this meet. Alan Garcia is good and getting better, but still nowhere along the lines of the top riders I listed.

[ArlJim78]

i guess maybe I've been slow to catch on to Ramon, in terms of how good he really is. Watching this recent Saratoga meet I've come to the conclusion that he is better that I had given him credit for in the past. In fact I would put him right at or near the top. Whether its the clock in the head, or something else, he seems to always be where he needs to be. He's really good.

In NY, I also have been impressed with Maragh.

Overall, I put Befarano, Gomez and Leparoux up there as well. In fact Julien is the only guy that I might prefer over Dominguez. He doesn't ride as much but he is very skillful.

[46zilzal]

Desormeaux is about as uneven a "theoretically" top rider as I have ever seen.

I love the MONEY riders like Baeza, Wollfe, Cordero, Don Pierce even the Pacific Northwest had many of them Bazil Frasier, Gary Baze, and the one that got away Gary Stevens.

[DanG]

It’s interesting how some opinions have changed since he moved his tack. I’m guessing there were some serious (very vocal) skeptics on this board when he first moved to NY.

Same brilliant rider who was dominating his local circuit is now viewed in a different light because of an address change imo.

[turfnsport]

A key moment in Ramon's career when he came to MD was hooking up with Steve Rushing, who had just lost Edgar's book. I still remember Steve telling me at the time that Ramon might have as much talent as Edgar. I was skeptical, but after watching him for just two weeks I was on board. He wowed me more than any other jockey I saw ride every day in Maryland and we had some good ones: Kent, Edgar, McCarron, Krone, etc...

[ArlJim78]

It’s interesting how some opinions have changed since he moved his tack. I’m guessing there were some serious (very vocal) skeptics on this board when he first moved to NY.

Same brilliant rider who was dominating his local circuit is now viewed in a different light because of an address change imo.
I think that's only natural and that its more than the address change. There is a natural skepticism that applies to everyone who dominates a smaller circuit and then moves up the ladder. I would say that there are many examples of riders who weren't able to move up and still dominate.

[Java Gold@TFT]

I think that's only natural and that its more than the address change. There is a natural skepticism that applies to everyone who dominates a smaller circuit and then moves up the ladder. I would say that there are many examples of riders who weren't able to move up and still dominate.
All you have to look at is Baze. He may have a great life where he rides and I would never take that away from him. He's the best where he rides and will probably be in the HOF when all is said and done. He will just always be looked at as the big fish in the small pond. And I'm not knocking his talent - just the perception.

[castaway01]

I think that's only natural and that its more than the address change. There is a natural skepticism that applies to everyone who dominates a smaller circuit and then moves up the ladder. I would say that there are many examples of riders who weren't able to move up and still dominate.

That's true, but Dan's point was probably that those who watched Dominguez ride at Delaware and other tracks were not at all surprised that he was one of those who made it big in the big time.

Personally, I don't know that he's far-and-away the best rider in the country, but he's as good as any other I have seen in recent years.

[ddog]

Leparoux, does not panic and most important will not beat a horse with the whip like some riders. Number 2 in earnings without riding for a major stable.

this guy is very very very good!

:ThmbUp:

[NTamm1215]

this guy is very very very good!

:ThmbUp:

Leparoux doesn't ride for the major Mike Maker Stable?

NT

[ddog]

he is very very good,ok, point taken though.

Maybe it's all personal, he has been bery bery bery good to me! ;)

[redshift1]

Leparoux doesn't ride for the major Mike Maker Stable?

NT

Maker not in top 25 trainers in earnings or wins.

[Marshall Bennett]

Rajiv Maragh may be Dominguez's nearest rival in ability . He's really matured and winning a lot on price horses . Quite a good turf rider as well .

[ezrabrooks]

he is very very good,ok, point taken though.

Maybe it's all personal, he has been bery bery bery good to me! ;)

Hey Dog...sounds like you are chill'n on Turtle Bayou (turn around)....

Ez

[classhandicapper]

I think he's a terrific rider, but as a gambler he gives me a headache. Everything he rides gets bet down lower than the PPs suggest. That appropriate to some degree because of his skill and tendency to pick up live mounts, but it's hard to get value on him if you like the horse he's riding. In addition, I can't even count the number of times I bet against him, had the best horse at an attractive price, and he totally out rode my jockey and got the win. :bang:

[DanG]

I think that's only natural and that its more than the address change. There is a natural skepticism that applies to everyone who dominates a smaller circuit and then moves up the ladder. I would say that there are many examples of riders who weren't able to move up and still dominate.
Fair point Jim;

The difference I saw in Ramon was he rode with the same confidence / skill in his limited out of town stakes mounts as he did locally. I don’t bet his former circuit as a rule, but since he rode virtually every leading grass contender the area shipped I watched many of his rides and he has many gifts that most only dream about.

Jky Agents will tell you; when that slot money hit Delaware and short fields followed shortly thereafter, Ramon wasn’t the only rider who wanted that juicy cash. That mid Atlantic belt has been a hot bed for riding talent for as long as I can remember and is kill or be killed.

[bisket]

ramon is a good professional jock. i don't move a horse up for him, and i don't move a horse down for him thats says alot. take prado i move a horse up for him on occassions, but never move a horse down for him.

[lamboguy]

ramon rides so good, i don't know how i could ever possibly bet my money against him.

[lamboguy]

Rajiv Maragh may be Dominguez's nearest rival in ability . He's really matured and winning a lot on price horses . Quite a good turf rider as well .i think richie dupass has a little to do with his success, but he is a real good rider.

[BUD]

Rajiv Maragh may be Dominguez's nearest rival in ability . He's really matured and winning a lot on price horses . Quite a good turf rider as well .

If I was to say anything Marshall said it first.

[delayjf]

Despite his personal problems, I still think Patrick Valenzuela is as good a rider as any. IMO, he has no flaws - turf / dirt - on the lead or off the pace he can do it all. It's a shame he can't stay clean.

[Run Nicholas Run]

Rafael Bejarano is the best rider in the land.

you get 15 yards for unsportsmanlike stupidity.
Every california rider is INFERIOR to RAMON.

[gales0678]

i don't see how he is the top rider in the country

no TC wins

1 BC win

If mike smith was on Gio Ponti , we have a different BCC winner this year