California riding circuit is as bad as their horses

[bks]

CA jock colony is definitely at a nadir. Prat is clearly best (when he rides there), and Hernandez is second by about the same margin he trails Prat over the next tier of riders led by Rispoli, Berrios and Fresu. No depth of top quality.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by the little guy

So you don't think Prat is any better than the other riders in the jock's room at Santa Anita?

I do, but his % increases marginally over the next best guy on the same horses.

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

I do, but his % increases marginally over the next best guy on the same horses.

You understand this completely invalidates your entire initial point, right? Of course his percentage increases marginally. How much could it go up?

[affirmedny]

Originally Posted by davew

I see what I consider 'non-optimal' rides every day everywhere. Stuff like 5 wide on the turn, getting stuck behind slowing horses, or blocked where there is no where for them to accelerate.

What I keep reminding myself is these horses are going 35 miles per hour and the jockeys during a race are always only seconds from going down with possibly broken bones, paralysis or death.

Does a jockey have to have no fear, be hyper aggressive and willing to squeeze between 2 horses in the 2 foot gap before they are considered good?

My favorite is 4 wide in a 5 horse race. Happens to me all the time.