Congratulations Rafael Bejarano!

[Sea Hero]

Best ride ever.


You took a horse (Campaign) who should have won by 10 lengths, got him out and kept him 20 lengths behind the leaders for the first mile of the race, decided "well, there's only a quarter of a mile to go, maybe I should make a move now, swung 15 paths wide into the stretch, and came charging to finish second. Any other jockey would have screwed the ride up and won. But it takes talent to finish second with the best horse.


I hope they induct you into the Hall of Fame soon, because you certainly deserve it! I hope John Sadler takes you 200 miles out of your way again to ride for him, because there isn't a better jockey on the planet.


I can't understand why no other trainer gave you a ride today. You should have been booked for every race on the card. You are the best, and never mind the many Pick-5 tickets that I keyed to your horse. They only would have paid a few thousand if you'd won.

[cj]

I'll say this in his defense, that is a VERY hard horse to ride. He simply has zero speed and you really have to keep after him just to get him to stay in contact. He always comes running late, but the Campaign you saw today is the usual one. We've talked about him more than a few times on our podcasts, he is one of the rare horses where even 1 1/2 miles is probably just too short for him. The problem for him is there aren't many options going longer.

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by Sea Hero

Best ride ever.


You took a horse (Campaign) who should have won by 10 lengths, got him out and kept him 20 lengths behind the leaders for the first mile of the race, decided "well, there's only a quarter of a mile to go, maybe I should make a move now, swung 15 paths wide into the stretch, and came charging to finish second. Any other jockey would have screwed the ride up and won. But it takes talent to finish second with the best horse.


I hope they induct you into the Hall of Fame soon, because you certainly deserve it! I hope John Sadler takes you 200 miles out of your way again to ride for him, because there isn't a better jockey on the planet.


I can't understand why no other trainer gave you a ride today. You should have been booked for every race on the card. You are the best, and never mind the many Pick-5 tickets that I keyed to your horse. They only would have paid a few thousand if you'd won.

he left (forced to leave) CA for a reason-wasn't getting any rides. Has some mounts at TP tomorrow

[ReplayRandall]

Originally Posted by Afleet

he left (forced to leave) CA for a reason-wasn't getting any rides. Has some mounts at TP tomorrow

He's taking the red-eye back to SA after his rides at Turfway on Sat....Just to ride only one horse for Doug O'Neill on Sunday--->Race 4- Violent Speed...He'll be the chalk.

[jay68802]

Guy used to be money. Especially with Carla Gaines. Never thought that would go south.

[sammy the sage]

Serious life threatening accidents change some people's nerves....thinking he was/is one of those...plus he's older....not too many mike smith/tom brady types around...

[clicknow]

Originally Posted by cj

he is one of the rare horses where even 1 1/2 miles is probably just too short for him. The problem for him is there aren't many options going longer.

I think there's probably been some horses who could have made it to the KY Derby like that, but prep races are too short for them. Not a lot, but I'm sure there's a few.

It's too bad there aren't more races carded for horses like this......I love me some 12F + routers!

Bejarano was once a gifted rider or at least I thought so. He had the hands and a little special magic.

[Immortal6]

I feel like even a year ago at this time Bejarano was a good rider, but especially great on turf. He certainly has tailed off recently which sucks to see. I don’t necessarily fault him for the ride on this particular horse. If it weren’t for the red hot Diodoro trainee in this race Campaign would have had a decisive victory.

[ultracapper]

Originally Posted by clicknow

I think there's probably been some horses who could have made it to the KY Derby like that, but prep races are too short for them. Not a lot, but I'm sure there's a few.

It's too bad there aren't more races carded for horses like this......I love me some 12F + routers!

Bejarano was once a gifted rider or at least I thought so. He had the hands and a little special magic.

There were times he was unbeatable at the wire. His horse's head always bobbed true. He was money in photos.

[airford1]

I've said many of the same things when I lost money , but guys he changed agents last year his old agent retired.