Jockey & Trainer News 2023

[Curtis]

Chris McCarron (who has been retired longer than some posters here have been alive) doing a radio interview in SoCal this morning.

Asked who the best horse he ever rode was, his answer was it's a "grand slam"

John Henry
Sunday Silence
Tiznow
Alysheba

Not a bad answer at all.

https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Resul ... J&eID=2918

That’s a pretty amazing list! Is that in order?

NOT in order to my knowledge, I think that was his point of calling it a grand slam, a 4 way tie if you will.

I asked CJ that question back when he was an executive at Santa Anita trying to figure out what he wanted to do when he grew up. He smiled and asked me who I thought the best horse he ever rode was. I said Precisionist. He agreed that no horse he ever rode was better but riding him could be a real PITA. He described Alysheba as a real playboy who wouldn’t always give him everything. He said similar about Tiznow but while Alysheba liked to play, Tiznow was sore and more incorrigible. McCarron said hands down John Henry was the best turf horse he ever rode. He said there was a definite difference between John Henry on turf and on dirt.

[Squeaky]

Sad it seems David Hofmans was a suicide-RIP. I guess he had struggled with depression and had lost many horses-down to only 6. I worry about these older trainers ( Zito, Jimmy Jerkens) who only have a handful of horses now and yet want to keep training as racing is their life. At least Jimmy found another opportunity in Saudi Arabia. I think it also helps to have a strong family support system. And Coach is still going strong thanks to some new owners. It also helps to have someone younger to do all the social media communication that owners and fans demand
Here is a thoughtful and well-written article by Jay Hovdey.


https://x.com/bloodhorse/status/1809980 ... 82790?s=46

[Squeaky]

Chad Brown disappointed with the quality of Saratoga racing lately. https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... ratoga_123

[Starine]

Sad it seems David Hofmans was a suicide-RIP. I guess he had struggled with depression and had lost many horses-down to only 6. I worry about these older trainers ( Zito, Jimmy Jerkens) who only have a handful of horses now and yet want to keep training as racing is their life. At least Jimmy found another opportunity in Saudi Arabia. I think it also helps to have a strong family support system. And Coach is still going strong thanks to some new owners. It also helps to have someone younger to do all the social media communication that owners and fans demand
Here is a thoughtful and well-written article by Jay Hovdey.


https://x.com/bloodhorse/status/1809980 ... 82790?s=46

Thanks for sharing the article. As someone also who suffers with depression; his death has touched a nerve.

[Squeaky]

Sad it seems David Hofmans was a suicide-RIP. I guess he had struggled with depression and had lost many horses-down to only 6. I worry about these older trainers ( Zito, Jimmy Jerkens) who only have a handful of horses now and yet want to keep training as racing is their life. At least Jimmy found another opportunity in Saudi Arabia. I think it also helps to have a strong family support system. And Coach is still going strong thanks to some new owners. It also helps to have someone younger to do all the social media communication that owners and fans demand
Here is a thoughtful and well-written article by Jay Hovdey.


https://x.com/bloodhorse/status/1809980 ... 82790?s=46

Thanks for sharing the article. As someone also who suffers with depression; his death has touched a nerve.

I hope you are doing ok Starine-we are always here for you as your racing family.

[stark]

With regards to the aforementioned PRECISIONIST......

take a look at his lifetime stats, winning 6F and 1 1/4

but here's the impressive part, over 40 races were stakes, handicaps, graded stakes etc.

a different time, a different kind of horse!

https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Resul ... y=T&rbt=TB

[Starine]

I hope you are doing ok Starine-we are always here for you as your racing family.

Aww, thank you for your thoughtful post. It really made my day. <3

[Squeaky]

Noticed Mike Smith is 92nd in jockey earnings standings. How the mighty have fallen. Wonder what happened between him and Bob -used to ride first call now almost never rides for him.

[HB1994]

Champion French jockey Gerald Mosse has retired. He’s going to become a trainer.

'For the last time, travel well Gerald' - Mosse out of luck on final ride but retires from the saddle with a smile on his face

https://www.racingpost.com/news/interna ... _term=Null

[CoronadosQuest]

I know this is a 2023 thread but I didn't see a Trainer News 2024...

Churchill Downs Incorporated Rescinds Bob Baffert Suspension

https://www.churchilldownsincorporated. ... 8Ha13XouvA

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) announced today that the suspension of Bob Baffert from racetracks owned and operated by the Company, is rescinded effective immediately. The decision was detailed in a statement from CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen:

“We are satisfied that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with the rules and regulations going forward. All parties agree that it is time to bring this chapter to a close and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of CDI’s racetracks, including our flagship Churchill Downs Racetrack, and we wish him and his connections good luck in their future competitive endeavors.”

[BaroqueAgain1]

About time.

[Mylute]

Noticed Mike Smith is 92nd in jockey earnings standings. How the mighty have fallen. Wonder what happened between him and Bob -used to ride first call now almost never rides for him.

Bro got a G2W at Saratoga today.
https://paulickreport.com/news/thorough ... rable-miss

[Izvestia]

What is Saffie Joseph’s win percentage? Seems to be winning everywhere with everything.

[Izvestia]

Noticed Mike Smith is 92nd in jockey earnings standings. How the mighty have fallen. Wonder what happened between him and Bob -used to ride first call now almost never rides for him.

Maybe he didn’t agree with Bob’s life choices.

[Tessablue]

Smith is not a good rider and has not been a good rider for years. A jockey with less name-recognition would have lost these opportunities much earlier. I have nothing against the guy and don't want to sound overly mean, but... it was really only a matter of time until owners and trainers recognized what a liability he is.

[stark]

I have a breeding question....

Michael Whittingham

Gary Mandella

I guess it doesn't always work out, oh well.

[Curtis]

Noticed Mike Smith is 92nd in jockey earnings standings. How the mighty have fallen. Wonder what happened between him and Bob -used to ride first call now almost never rides for him.

Maybe he didn’t agree with Bob’s life choices.

And yet when Saffie Joseph Jr. comes a callin’ Mike’s gotta listen? I know irony can be tough to define but I have to think a good example is displayed here.

[Curtis]

Smith is not a good rider and has not been a good rider for years. A jockey with less name-recognition would have lost these opportunities much earlier. I have nothing against the guy and don't want to sound overly mean, but... it was really only a matter of time until owners and trainers recognized what a liability he is.

Mike’s a baseball fan. You’d think he’d understand the concept of losing a few miles off his fastball. His looks like a changeup.

[Curtis]

I have a breeding question....

Michael Whittingham

Gary Mandella

I guess it doesn't always work out, oh well.

Was this meant for the breeding forum?

[stark]

Smith is not a good rider and has not been a good rider for years. A jockey with less name-recognition would have lost these opportunities much earlier. I have nothing against the guy and don't want to sound overly mean, but... it was really only a matter of time until owners and trainers recognized what a liability he is.

Mike’s a baseball fan. You’d think he’d understand the concept of losing a few miles off his fastball. His looks like a changeup.

There is little doubt in my mind that posts like this are a signal to run to the windows and bet Mikey for the next week or so. Cha-ching