Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:58:25 GMT

The ultimate 'hit me at your peril' horse had to be Northern Dancer, who transmitted this trait to many of his get, and theirs.

But Bill Hartack, his first time riding him, used his whip freely in the Derby stretch and the colt ran dead game. I've always figured that was due to Hartack. He got a message across and the horse responded.

This might be something Hartack himself couldn't teach someone else or even describe. But I believe he had it.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Paddy — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:21:32 GMT

Steve,after today's Arkansas Derby, you can give the same `whip advice`to Bejarano afterhis ride on Secret Circle. He had the colt ducking both ways as he hit left and then right handed. Mind you, I wouldn`t be surprised to see him on Bodemiester for the Derby. Hopefully, the next rider will learn from Bejarano`s mistake.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Carlos in Cali — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:47:42 GMT

Mary, UR did not improve off his 2yo form.He's very beatable.Nothing special.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

smallbrennan — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:23:07 GMT

Steve, I've been following the horse's that follow the horse's for about as long as I've been following you on Bloodhorse.com. But to write a post giving the best jockey's in the country advice on how to ride..? When you have never be on top of a Thoroughbred in your lifetime...well that takes courage..the strange thing about your post is that I agree with almost every bit of advice you have given, to these great jocks. I know Creative Cause does not like to see a whip, even around his stall. So if Rosario does here about your little post before May 5, 2012, you might just change the outcome of the 138th Kentucky Derby with your pen, oh your PC.

Keep up the great insight..Steve.

Johnny, Kentuckyderbydreamin.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

robinm — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:43:56 GMT

Dr. D. and El Kabong; I see you share my surprise that Mike Smith would name his Derby mount before his ride on Bodemeister this weekend. Unlike El Kabong, I

hadn't even taken into consideration the West coast rider issue. I can only assume Mike knows something we don't and I would imagine he advised Bob Baffert of his decision before it was made public.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Mary — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:48:15 GMT

Coldfacts, great ones do find a way to win, but with all due respect, you might want to give your comment a little more thought. Great ones have lost a race or two, but they do find a way to show up. In other words, Secretariat lost a couple of races, but on this day, April 12th, 2012, Secretariat is considered the greatest race horse of all time.

All I can say about Union Rags, is that we can all depend on him to show up in the Kentucky Derby. I just can't see him losing. His work today was spectacular.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

El Kabong — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:10:59 GMT

So Mike is riding Daddy Knows Best and he couldn't wait to tell everyone!

He's on Bodemeister this weekend. Lost confidence in him for the Derby already? Not a prudent decision for a cal based rider if he didn't have a really good reason. Boy, I'd have waited for the Ark to have run to announce that unless their was some heavy pressure to pull the trigger and a really good reason. I guess we'll see.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Linda in Texas — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:51:01 GMT

Steve, great words of encouragement to the jockeys.

Hope the jockeys use the same kind in the ears of their rides as they are barreling down the track.

I am not going to zero in on any one horse to win this year, too many really fine racehorses with a chance. I have a couple of favorites but then they all are.

Thank you Steve. I hope the jockeys pin your advice to them on the wall while they dress for the Kentucky Derby! They are all respected for sure by me. Brave souls they to get up on those biggins' all pumped, trumpets calling, people screaming, funny hats and all and the wafting of Kentucky Bourbon and Mint floating by. Love it. Love it. Love it.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Maryl Aldrich — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:59:25 GMT

If you look carefully, many jockeys will hit the saddle blanket and not the horse. The popping noise is sometimes enough to "spur" a horse on.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Freetex — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:50:55 GMT

I have yet to read all the posts to your article Steve because I just had to say how thrilled I am to learn Mike Smith will be riding Daddy Nose Best in The Kentucky Derby.

Love your tips to the riders, especially for Joel Rosario with Creative Cause.

I also hope Calvin Borel spares his encouragement with Take Charge Indy.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

furlongs — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:31:17 GMT

Mike Smith should fit Daddy Nose Best like a glove... and him choosing this horse before the Ark Derby tells me Bode is Preakness bound no matter what I bet.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

furlongs — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:26:16 GMT

MikeM whats your point about Jose Santos?? Like I said I wish I had $1 every time I heard Tom Durkin quote "hard held" or "being restrained" when calling his mounts in NY alone!! Not saying he didn't get good solid mounts just saying he was nothing but a true grabber such as Julian is. Doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to be in the HOF so relax. If Jose was on the lead trust me it was all horse!! LOL

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

captainsmistress — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:12:14 GMT

Wonderful article, Steve. Thank You so much! I am new to this and learning so much from everyone. It's getting so exciting. I am really going to start paying attention to Daddy Nose Best, Gemologist, I'll Have Another, and Creative Cause. I can't wait for the works and PP draw. Like other posters have mentioned, I hate that 20 horse field. Thanks for a great read, everyone!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:58:14 GMT

robinm

I found that to be very puzzling also that Smith didn't wait until after he rode Bodemeister. VERY PUZZLING. In fact I was shocked and perplexed. And I want answers !!!! What is it that we don't know?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

robinm — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:41:10 GMT

opsherr; the whip is used in many equestrian disciplines. When used correctly, it is a cue, not a punishment and properly trained horses recognize it as such. This is not to say that a whip cannot be used as punishment, but to say it is used for "punishment pure and simple" is a highly inaccurate statement.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

opsherr — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:18:01 GMT

After reading this column, I knew there would be a storm of comments. This is the way I see it. Your use of

encouragement" as describing the effect of use of a whip is unfortunate but also revealing. Use of a whip is punishment pure and simple. Of course, a horse might shy when struck and also might go on. It's hard to say but the use of a whip should be banned from racing period. All a trainer has to do at time of entry is declare "no whip". When these horses are giving their all, why should they be punished in a cruel and inhumane manner? If a jockey can't ride without a whip, he/she shouldn't be riding.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Johnny — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:18:01 GMT

Smith on Daddy Nose Best, I likey..

Come on 20-1

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

MikeM — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:14:58 GMT

Jose Santos was ONLY one of the best big money riders of his time.

Lets see, Derby win,Preakness win,Belmont win,Travers,BCC and so on.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Fran Loszynski — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:51:28 GMT

So true Steve, how many times do you see the jockey leaning to the racehorses ear. He's whispering:

"It's time to go!" A jockey threads a needle each time he races. It's all about teamwork and I hope whoever rides Hansen realizes we have just "tapped" the surface with this great racehorse from beautiful Gainesway sire Tapit. I know personally Afleet Alex must have a ticket on his roomate's kid. This Kentucky Derby won't be a bumpy ride just full of skill.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

robinm — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:46:34 GMT

Mike Smith on Daddy Nose Best. Interesting that he would make his decision before riding Bodemeister in the AK Derby this weekend.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Coldfacts — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:24:43 GMT

The young, exciting and talented jockey Joe Talamo recently stated that where man and horse combine for optimum performance, the split is 90% horse and 10% rider. If there is consensus that this percentage split is fair, there should also be consensus that the services of the riders that best fit horses should be the optimum task for the connections of horses. There are some riders in the US jockey colony that are the complete package and are capable of optimizing efforts from leaders, stalkers and deep closers. There are others based on their skills set that are best suited to horses with one of the three aforementioned running styles. With riders' input accounting for only 10% of the total outcome of races, are they being unfairly penalized for the defeat of their mounts? Do particular horses influence indecision and errors in judgment? The answers to both questions could go either way.

I have never viewed results in the Derby as being contingent on either a good or bad trip irrespective of the composition field. I also do not believe that indecision and errors in judgment play as significant a role in the outcome of the great race as is being asserted. Let me be clear, if a horse is wiped out at the start or at some other point during a race, I consider that an unfortunate incident that severely impacted its final placing. Does this extreme occurrence fall under the category of bad trip? I have never seen the abbreviation BT (Bad Trip) as a notation in PPs of horses. There is a reason for this as a horse can lose with what is perceived to be good trip and conversely can win with what is perceived to be a bad one. The chances of winning with what is assessed to be a bad trip are more enhanced in longer races. Most if not all the horses entering the starting gates in the 2012 Derby will not have a 10F race in a 20 horses filed on their résumés. There are many that continue to be critical of the maximum number of starters in the Derby as it is seen as the major contributor to bad trips and the war that is waged for good positions heading into the first turn. I am not one who shares this view as horses run in packs of unrestricted numbers in their natural habitats. I am of the opinion that there is far too much emphasis placed on field size, good trip versus bad trip and not enough on the distance of the race. The distance of the race is the single most important factor that influences its result. If the truth is told, it would revealed that the majority of starters in every Derby are not capable of cover 10F in the average Derby winning time of 2:02 plus even with the best possible trip.

In the absence of the ideal rider, indecision and judgmental errors made by the 10% member of the team can be easily nullified by the 90% member if it exhibits the brilliance synonymous with an equine classified as a thoroughbreds. The great ones find a ways to win in spite of adversities.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

derblin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:18:42 GMT

The only Triple Crown winner in history to win his derby in a field of 20 was the great War Admiral and he went to the lead and held it. Secretariat won his derby in a field of 13. Four other triple crown winners won their derbies in fields of 15 or over. Gallant Fox (15) Omaha (18) Assault (17) Seattle Slew (15). Maybe there is another one out there this year who will win all three with a large field in the Derby.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

derblin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:27:51 GMT

I appreciate your post, Tiara. No the standards of the derby should not be lowered by changing the distance or the time between races and I also agree with your comment about breeding for speed and training. Not always the best horse wins the derby. But some really good ones manage to win in the big fields ie Smarty Jones(15) and Big Brown.(20) Like I said originally, I hope I am wrong this year about the Derby winner and the size of the field being a factor. Also subsequent winners of the other 2 legs of the TC that the derby winner must contest after the slugging match in the derby. Only time will tell.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

Johnny — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:15:32 GMT

I am really liking Daddy Nose Best more and more,great progression his El Camino win was a great stretch drive.

Any idea who is jock may be??

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Riders on the Storm

JON R — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:37:50 GMT

I don't think that using a whip should ever be referred to as "encouragment." They should be banned.