Gunnevera Jockey Change - Thoughts?

[TheGarMan]

Hey All !

Does anyone know the real story on the jock change on Gunnevera for the Preakness?

I had one of two obvious thoughts.

1) The trainer or owner of Gunnevera didn't like the ride they got in the Derby, so off goes Javier and they bring in "Big Money Mike" for the Preakness ?

2) Javier got a chance to ride "Cloud Computing" and jumped off Gunnevera to do so.. (Thus implying he might think CC is the better horse for the Preakness, and is sitting on a big effort?)

They at first floated a story that Javier has a "schedule conflict" , but apparently his schedule was just fine to ride CC ?

Or am I reading too much into changes like this that happen all the time?

Or is there maybe something to learned here?

Thoughts / opinions are appreciated.

Gar

[jocko699]

Originally Posted by TheGarMan

Hey All !

Does anyone know the real story on the jock change on Gunnevera for the Preakness?

I had one of two obvious thoughts.

1) The trainer or owner of Gunnevera didn't like the ride they got in the Derby, so off goes Javier and they bring in "Big Money Mike" for the Preakness ?

2) Javier got a chance to ride "Cloud Computing" and jumped off Gunnevera to do so.. (Thus implying he might think CC is the better horse for the Preakness, and is sitting on a big effort?)

They at first floated a story that Javier has a "schedule conflict" , but apparently his schedule was just fine to ride CC ?

Or am I reading too much into changes like this that happen all the time?

Or is there maybe something to learned here?

Thoughts / opinions are appreciated.

Gar

Just think JC rides for Chad Brown all the time. Maybe I am wrong but Mike Smith will probably give him the best chance of winning.

[letswastemoney]

Mike "5 wide" Smith likely won't make much difference.

[pandy]

I doubt they took Javier off, he probably wanted to ride for that stable, as he often does. He's an elite rider.

[PowerUpPaynter]

Gunnevera is kinda this years Mohaymen, peaked too early, wont improve much from here

[Robert Fischer]

Gunnevera is the type of horse that you either like, and feel the race sets up for him, or you don't like him.
There might be 50 jocks that could give him a good ride, and if I'm skimming the thread correctly, Smith is up? and gives no cause for handicapping adjustment.
He's the same horse he was going into the derby.

[delsully]

Originally Posted by PowerUpPaynter

Gunnevera is kinda this years Mohaymen, peaked too early, wont improve much from here

I gave that honor to IWC.

[Dahoss9698]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Mike "5 wide" Smith likely won't make much difference.

Other than Jerry Bailey I can't think of a rider better than Smith when the money is on the line in the last 20 years. He probably won't make a difference but the 5 wide stuff is grossly exaggerated.

[f2tornado]

I like Smith but he's no Pimlico specialist and it's not like Gunner is getting an upgrade from a random pilot at Fonner Park. Preakness has not been kind to deep closing style but perhaps Smith can keep him a little closer before making the move. I doubt he's any match for the chalk but can hit the board.

[burnsy]

Originally Posted by pandy

I doubt they took Javier off, he probably wanted to ride for that stable, as he often does. He's an elite rider.

According to the OTB show this morning, that's exactly what happened. I guess he asked permission to ride the other horse. As for jockeys, there is no difference between the two, if anything, Javier wins more of these then anyone in the business. I believe he was the top money earner last year. If the track is fast and dry, I can see this horse making a big run for a piece. I'm probably not going to throw Gunnevera out if he's a square price. He probably did not handle the wet track according to what Javier was saying. It wouldn't be the first time Smitty came east and inherited a good runner. I don't like Cloud Computing at all. Just cause he's jumping ship don't assume he's getting a better horse. I sure as hell don't think he is.

[señorclipclop]

I wonder if Gunnevera might be better suited for a one-turn mile. I think his sire would've benefited from a cutback in distance if he had been given the chance.

[n.c]

great workouts.. maybe he is going with a fresh horse ..last two times, Gunnevera has been dusted by Always Dreaming.

[burnsy]

Originally Posted by n.c

great workouts.. maybe he is going with a fresh horse ..last two times, Gunnevera has been dusted by Always Dreaming.

Yeah, but that pack from the Wood seems to be out classed. I kind of think Gunnevera deserves another chance. Always Dreaming has dusted him but this horse could be second best IMO. His running lines are classy and Irish War Cry was a flop after the Wood, he had position in the Derby and could not sustain. In other words, Cloud Computing has got to improve a lot to hang with these. I don't know if he can win but at a good price I think Gunnevera can get a share. The other horse is fresh. But is Cloud Computing fast enough? Gunnevera ran well in the Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth and the Florida derby, then caught mud, I'm giving this horse another chance because he will probably be an over lay. If I get a price and dry weather, I'm using Gunnevera. I love that the jock took off, it probably raised the price on this horse. A rebound to prior form makes him a player in the Preakness.

[pandy]

Originally Posted by burnsy

Yeah, but that pack from the Wood seems to be out classed. I kind of think Gunnevera deserves another chance. Always Dreaming has dusted him but this horse could be second best IMO. His running lines are classy and Irish War Cry was a flop after the Wood, he had position in the Derby and could not sustain. In other words, Cloud Computing has got to improve a lot to hang with these. I don't know if he can win but at a good price I think Gunnevera can get a share. The other horse is fresh. But is Cloud Computing fast enough? Gunnevera ran well in the Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth and the Florida derby, then caught mud, I'm giving this horse another chance because he will probably be an over lay. If I get a price and dry weather, I'm using Gunnevera. I love that the jock took off, it probably raised the price on this horse. A rebound to prior form makes him a player in the Preakness.

I remember a handicapper I spent a lot of time talking to while I was learning this game and when a good horse ran a disappointing race on a track that was a very sloppy or muddy surface, or very wet and sealed, he said, "throw that race out like it never happened."

[letswastemoney]

Gunnevera will be hurt slightly by Royal Mo dropping out due to injury. The Pace Projector had Conquest Mo Money and Royal Mo on the lead.