RAFAEL BEJARANO 2//48

[PIC6SIX]

Can anyone tell me why BJ's win numbers have hit rock bottom? He and Rosario used to be the leaders. Fell out of favor with trainers, personal issues, substance issues or whatever???

[ultracapper]

It's frustrating because he was really at the top, and there were times when he was magic in tight races at the wire. But I have always wondered about some of the choices he and (I assume) his agent made when they had what appeared to be multiple choices in a field. He had what seemed like a fabulous relationship with Carla Gaines' barn and then just started going to other horses when she was expecting him to ride for her. She even was quoted as saying she considered him the barn's go to jock and without any kind of warning or discussion, or anything, he just quit taking her horses.

It's something I've been wondering about for a number of months now, because he is no where near what he was just a couple years ago.

[airford1]

No Horses, Ron Anderson has always had the ability to come in and take the good mounts . Baffert has his Favorite riders and when he got hurt this last two times his agent isn't able to him back on top. Food for thought when was the last time we saw him on a top 3yo prospect? I have seen him get stuck saving ground and lose a lot of races and in the some cases recently he has gotten the reputation of forcing his way out like a Paco Lopez and that may have lost some opportunities. Just the way I see it.

[GMB@BP]

No idea why he is 2/48. The Arrogate situation did not help his career.

[luisbe]

Bejarano never was selected for top horses on very important races compared with other jockeys.
Talamo hasn't been either despite being consider a top rider when he disembarked in Cal.

[NikeUnlimited]

I think injuries have played a part. He's gotten a few wrist injuries the past few years. I also think him getting a new agent in 2015 has affected the quality of horses he gets. His agent used to be Joe Ferrer who retired, and I think his current agent just isn't as good.

I see jockeys like van dyke get quality mounts, when he isn't good at all (look at him in the stretch in any race, he isn't a strong finisher at all, the horse carries him every time).

It makes me think that jockey agent is more important than jockey talent in terms of getting the best mounts.

[pandy]

Bejarano has had a terrific career in So. Cal when you factor in the Baffert effect, Baffert rarely used him and yet he was a top jockey for years. Hopefully this is just a slump.

[airford1]

Originally Posted by NikeUnlimited

I think injuries have played a part. He's gotten a few wrist injuries the past few years. I also think him getting a new agent in 2015 has affected the quality of horses he gets. His agent used to be Joe Ferrer who retired, and I think his current agent just isn't as good.

I see jockeys like van dyke get quality mounts, when he isn't good at all (look at him in the stretch in any race, he isn't a strong finisher at all, the horse carries him every time).

It makes me think that jockey agent is more important than jockey talent in terms of getting the best mounts.

Yes the Agent is important. Nick Cosato would take a new jock and get them to the top meaning meet leading ride, but struggled to get the top horses for them. Tough game. Rafa has game left in him.