Deshawn Parker back

[pele polo]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

didn't he win a bunch of races last year at Sam Houston and Remington when he was riding first call for Asmussen?

I know he won a lot at Sam Houston and finished in the top five there. I didn't know about Remington, so I looked it up on Equibase and he was in fact 7th in the final standings, not bad at all.

[Rise Over Run]

Originally Posted by Prairie Bettor

Wow! 5' 11"? How does he make weight?

And I am a fan.

He's tall, but I think the tallest jock I ever saw was Mark Johnston from the MD circuit in the 90's. Very lanky, and no idea how that guy consistently made weight considering he rode for 15+ years. I remember numerous times fans would yell out asking who was going to win. His response was always the same, "the jock with the white pants." Of course, the all wear white pants.

He ended up on the KY circuit and was involved in the spill that killed Michael Rowland at Turfway in 2004. He took a few more mounts and then hung up the saddle for good a few months later.

Here's a nice interview on HRRN with fellow former jockey Kristin McManigell. Glad I listened, because it turns out he ended up marrying Michael Rowland's widow.

http://horseracingradio.net/episode/...-mark-johnston

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by Rise Over Run

He's tall, but I think the tallest jock I ever saw was Mark Johnston from the MD circuit in the 90's. Very lanky, and no idea how that guy consistently made weight considering he rode for 15+ years. I remember numerous times fans would yell out asking who was going to win. His response was always the same, "the jock with the white pants." Of course, the all wear white pants.

He ended up on the KY circuit and was involved in the spill that killed Michael Rowland at Turfway in 2004. He took a few more mounts and then hung up the saddle for good a few months later.

Here's a nice interview on HRRN with fellow former jockey Kristin McManigell. Glad I listened, because it turns out he ended up marrying Michael Rowland's widow.

http://horseracingradio.net/episode/...-mark-johnston

Shawn's height is often overstated. He is 5' 9, which is still tall for a jockey." The guy is also strong, very strong, and gives the impression in person not of a rider, but rather a normal-sized guy who happens to be slender.

[ReplayRandall]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Shawn's height is often overstated. He is 5' 9, which is still tall for a jockey." The guy is also strong, very strong, and gives the impression in person not of a rider, but rather a normal-sized guy who happens to be slender.

At 5' 11”, has it been tough keeping your weight down?
I've always been a real skinny kid. Never had that much problem with weight. The challenge was getting trainers to put me on horses, especially when I'd walk up to them and I'm taller than they are. But when they see how low I can get on a horse, it's not been a problem.
http://www.paulickreport.com/feature...eshawn-parker/

[SuperPickle]

Originally Posted by pele polo

Parker has tried going several other places in the past wth little success. With the Moutain now closed during the winter I believe he's been going to Sam Houston to ride primarily for Eric Reed and doing fairly well but doesn't get 8 mounts a card like he does in WV.

I was surprised when he went to Tampa a few years ago and rode very few winners and was getting on a lot of longshots.

Very solid rider. Have to admire his consistency and the longevity in his consistency.

Tampa and Oaklawn are brutal. They probably have the biggest jocks room in the country. You've got horses coming out of 8-10 places with riders with relationship. Tampa on a certainly level is a tough place to ride winners.

You see some tracks where the top leaders do nothing they leave. If you look at Lezcano, Centano and Garardo they all won multiple titles elsewhere. It reflects the Toughness of that room.

[nancy4487]

Rode my horse to one of his only two wins. First was at Mountaineer with DeShawn up!
He looked tall on Fitti in winner's circle picture and Fitti 16.1 H

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by ReplayRandall

At 5' 11”, has it been tough keeping your weight down?
I've always been a real skinny kid. Never had that much problem with weight. The challenge was getting trainers to put me on horses, especially when I'd walk up to them and I'm taller than they are. But when they see how low I can get on a horse, it's not been a problem.
http://www.paulickreport.com/feature...eshawn-parker/

Don't wager any money on it, sir. He and I have been friends a long, long time. In addition, Shawn once worked with me in the racing office. And we've played plenty of hoops together.

I'm about 6'2..maybe even a centimeter short of that. And the difference between he and I is CONSIDERABLY more than 3 inches.

[ReplayRandall]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Don't wager any money on it, sir. He and I have been friends a long, long time. In addition, Shawn once worked with me in the racing office. And we've played plenty of hoops together.

I'm about 6'2..maybe even a centimeter short of that. And the difference between he and I is CONSIDERABLY more than 3 inches.

I believe you....just wanted to show you the paulickreport interview..

[EMD4ME]

Where will he go after MNR closes?

I know he likes SAM HOUSTON but they don't open till Jan.

[arw629]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

Where will he go after MNR closes?

I know he likes SAM HOUSTON but they don't open till Jan.

Mahoning makes the most sense since he lives 45 mins or so away but I think he is not allowed to ride there without special permission bc his dad or a relative is a steward in ohio or something like that? I'm sure someone else on here can confirm that...he's tried tampa before without much success...if I was him I'd try new Orleans...that jock colony seems tired and he has run for Asmussen with success in sam houston so why not take a shot at the fair grounds and mix it in with some delta at night? Way better purses there than waiting for sam houston and I think he can still be competitive

[chaz63]

usually finishes up Remington meet then goes to Sam Houston....

[Peter Berry]

Last I heard he was going to Oaklawn.

[Robert Fischer]

Such a big difference when he's up on a horse vs others in the colony.

I don't see that improvement/contrast at major tracks often. Maybe within certain restricted patterns (eg controlling speed in a turf route).

Parker gives a contender a ride that allows the horse to win. If there is an initiative up for grabs, he owns that initiative. If there is a duel brewing, subtle race-riding to diffuse the duel before it even happens.

[bello]

Originally Posted by Robert Fischer

Such a big difference when he's up on a horse vs others in the colony.

I don't see that improvement/contrast at major tracks often. Maybe within certain restricted patterns (eg controlling speed in a turf route).

Parker gives a contender a ride that allows the horse to win. If there is an initiative up for grabs, he owns that initiative. If there is a duel brewing, subtle race-riding to diffuse the duel before it even happens.

All so true. Great to watch this guy. Also seems to wisen up some younger members of the jock colony who are willing to learn. And never a stiff job. Just shows that racing for lower purses does not mean dishonest racing.

Deshawn also had an excellent year two back at Sam Houston....Fell back some last year. Seemed to lose the Asmussen account for some reason.

[chaz63]

Wow....that's a switch. Good for him. Hope he knocks it out of the park there.