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Since it is still a couple of weeks away from the beginning of my three-year-old rankings, I have enough time to do a different kind of list. This is a list of jockeys that I don't want to see listed on a horse I plan to play seriously. This list basically has two different types of riders: low-percentage sorts that just don't win often, or veteran riders who have riding styles that drive me crazy.
In reverse order (least desired last), here are those seven riders:
7. Nick Meza - long a staple on the Chicago circuit, this veteran rider has always been a jockey that just doesn't find his way to the winner's circle very often. Recent stats include one for 60-plus (under 2%) at recently concluded Hawthorne meet and 5 for 250-plus (under 2%) in 2001 . He often rides for trainers David Reid and Chris Ryan, both of whom win very few races, and for years I've wondered like with the old chicken and egg thing; whose losing came first, Meza's or those trainers?
6. Pat Day - if he rides your horse in the Midwest, it is automatically way overbet. If he rides your horse at Gulfstream or Saratoga, then his extremely, extremely patient riding style just drives me crazy (see ride on Stephenstown in Wednesday's 6th at Gulfstream). Having grown up watching him in Chicago, it just seems like I am cursed when it comes to betting races that he is involved in. Pat Day beats me when I bet against him, and when I bet on him, he loses.
5. Sandi Dorr - this apprentice jockey has been able to keep her seven-pound weight allowance for a long time. However, this can't be taken as a positive because this means she is not winning very many races. Could be a seven-pound bug for a couple of more years as I believe that it is until a jockey attains 35 wins (she had 13 last year) before they go from seven to five pounds and then their allowance allotment is based on time. Have seen her ride on the East Coast this year and if she is riding a short-priced horse (which happens much more often than it should) then that it is a race worth getting involved in trying to beat her mount.
4. Robbie Davis - there is one type of horse that Davis fits very well. A horse that likes to relax early, be kept outside and out of trouble, then make one wide run around the turn and through lane. My problem with Davis is that it seems that he rides every horse the same way. Has been passed by on the New York circuit by many others in the jockey colony and is not riding in good form on the inner dirt which doesn't fit his riding style.
3. Abad Cabassa, Jr. - is probably the rightful # 1 on this list based strictly on performance. Was 1 for 60-plus at Calder and is a leading jockey candidate for 'duck' status at Gulfstream.
2. Mike Smith - without question in my time following racing, was the luckiest jockey as far as winning big-time races and Eclipse Awards, etc. Was in the right place at the right time when he went to New York way back when. He always seems to get in trouble or go wide when my money is on him. When I don't bet on his mounts it seems his mounts still get into trouble or have wide trips. Both Smith and Davis have similar styles, neither of which I like.
1. Kelly Sampson - other than a jockey that I most want to hang out with list, this is the only way that I could conceivably make Kelly 'Schwing' Sampson # 1 on any jockey list. Kelly tied Nick Meza as they each had five wins on the year, though Sampson's came from 'only' 167 mounts. So how do Meza or Sampson remain jockeys with so few wins on the year? I don't know.
"I WANT TO KNOW WHERE MY CONFIDENCE WENT, ONE DAY IT ALL DISAPPEARED." - Blue Rodeo
mAvEn NoTeS
Needless to type, I am watching lots of races as I continue to prepare for the NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Championship Finals, which will take place on January 25th and 26th... No dice on the briefly discussed match race between Xtra Heat and Hallowed Dreams. Fair Grounds management couldn't get the money... Proposition bets and match-up wagers on Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship Day? Sounds cool to me. One worry for two-horse match-ups is having a low enough takeout that is comparable to the takeout on similar sports wagers. By the way, it is only 41 weeks until the BCWTC comes to Arlington.
LOWER TAKEOUTS, LESS DRUGS, AND LESS POLITICS IN RACING! STAY HIP!
David Gutfreund has been a columnist for the Youbet.com Weekly Update for three years and the Thoroughbred Maven can be reached via E-Mail with questions or comments at horsemaven@earthlink.net
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