Castellano he rode bernardini to a preakness win why not the derby

How could you not vote for Russell, he is a class act, never been suspended for substance abuse or any other conduct. He just remains steady and at the top of his game.

I may not speak for everyone, but I have to say I can't believe that Jeremy Rose is on this list. I don't think that he should even be allowed to ride racehorses, let alone win the Kentucky Derby. It would be a travesty if he did.

Herb McCauley is the greatest comeback story since Rocky Balboa after his return to the rigors and perils of race riding after a 10 year retirement. A top rider in his time, or in this time, a Derby win for Herb would catapult him into his deserved spot in racing's hall of fame. Just give him a shot! HERBIE! HERBIE! HERBIE!

Its hard to beleive that all the multimillion dollar pieces that johnny velasquez has ridden,he still doesn't have a derby win.

My first thought when I saw this headline was "I hope Joe Bravo's in this poll."  I'm a proud Jersey girl & have been admiring Joe for as long as I've been a race fan.  

Gabriel Saez, because he is riding for Larry Jones, and that is ultimately who I want to win!!!

I have to agree with easygoer. Jeremy Rose shouldn't be allowed on a horse. His mistreatment hitting the horse he was riding in the face this summer was not the first time he's taken his frustrations out on the animals who are earning him a living. So why are owners and trainers allowing him on their horses?

I give a slight edge to Alex Solis over Russell Baze.  Both are "blue collar" life long winners.  It also looks like a legitimate Baze/Hollendorfer entry in this year's derby is not out of the question.  

How about Joe Talamo? Being the second youngest rider to win the Derby would be something special

My vote goes to Garrett Gomez.  He's battled back from so much in his personal life.  He's a legitimately nice guy as well.  In 2006, my son was born in January and I was at Churchill the Thursday before Derby.  I saw Gomez just before the last race of the day.  He was in street clothes and had his wife with him.  He was getting ready to leave for the day.  I walked up to him and asked him if I purchased a Derby hat, would he sign it for my son.  He was more than happy to do so.  I had to wait in line for 10 minutes to purchase the hat.  I walked back to the paddock and there he stood waiting for me to return to autograph the hat for my son.  He never complained and even asked me what my son's name was so he could personalize it to him.  I will never forget that.  Good luck GoGo.  I truly hope this year you get your well deserved Derby win.

ALEX SOLIS paid his dues time to get well deserved credit.

Robbie Alborado because of his charity work and he rode Curlin brilliantly!   He always interviewed well and seems a very pleasant and caring man.

But i don't think he is riding the horses i want to win unfortunately!  So a conflict of loyalties there!

God Bless

Best Wishes

Abbie

How thrilled was I to see Miggie up there? And at 9% in the votes, there are others out there who give the MAN his due!

A true gentleman in every sense of the word, and another who has been as "clean" a rider as there is.

After his terrible luck ( Artie Schiller's BC win comes to mind), I would truly LOVE to see The Mig get a big win!

I can honsestly say that I know and/or have met at least 3/4 of the jockeys on this list. That being said, one jock sticks out in my mind when I read this question: Joe "Jersey" Bravo! A jockey that has suffered from numerous "career-ending" injuries and somehow found the will to return to the saddle over & over again!

I'm sure anyone of the jockeys on this list deserve to win their first Triple Crown Race but the one that sticks out in my mind is JOEY B!

David Flores would be another worthy winner

Russell Baze is one the most patient riders Ever to ride.  He has been long overdue for the chance to win the derby.

Have to go with "The Mig"...Class act all the way!!

Javier Castellano and Corny-V have both long been favorites of mine. I wouldnt mind seeing them finish 1-2.

David Flores has won everything in his career except a Kentucky Derby (major riding titles, numerous million-dollar races, Breeder's Cups and the Kentucky Oaks) and would cap a Hall of Fame run with a win in the big race!!

Anyone from the Mid-Atlantic area particularity Delaware Park knows the class horseman Ramon Dominguez is. A great family man...a great race rider ...watch how he takes care of a horse...Class Act! A true horseman and most of all..A GENTLEMAN.

NO QUESTION ABUT IT...........THE MIG GETS MY VOTE!!

ALEX SOLIS

Hall of Famer in my book! Love to see him get that Derby win. All around one of the greatest riders. May 2009 be his year!

I voted for Javier ('cus he's such a nice guy, & my daughter loves him!), but I easily could have gone for The Mig or Robbie A. or Ramon. Too many deserving!

Of course I'd like to see Garrett win. His Dad Louie rode for us 40+ years ago and Garrett wasn't even a glimmer in his eye, then recall his Mom when she was pregnant with him. I remember Garrett as a little boy. Saw his first victory at Santa Fe Downs. Of course I root for him, like so many others, trainers and jocks who got their start in New Mexico.

Also Richard Migliore such a great ambassador and representation of horse racing.

How about goin' a little old-school? Larry Melancon. He's second on the list of stakes winning riders at Churchill and has 900+ wins in Louisville. He also brings in a nice longshot for me every year or two at Keeneland. + seems like a nice person.

Robbie Albarado.  Love his work ethic.  He tried hard with all his mounts.

how about Robert Skelly,one of the harder working unknown riders.

to me it should be julian for the great rides he gave FOREVER TOGETHER allowing her to become the champion we knew she was.

 Grabriel Saez because for my favorite trainer to win it this year, Larry Jones, Gab is his rider and they both deserve a win this year after the Eight Belles tragidy last May.

Russell Baze. Not only has he won more races than anyone else, he is also a class act from start to finish.

After Russell Baze, I would like to see Eddie Martin, Jr. win it. He's terribly underrated and also a very down to earth guy.

I wanna see Frankie Dettori win his first Derby. Last year he had by far the best 3 yr old in the world in Raven's Pass. Had he run in the states we would have finally had another Triple Crown Winner. Let's face it there wasn't any 3 yr old who could have held a candle to Raven's Pass. The Derby deserved better than to suffer the fate it did last year when it fielded the weakest bunch of 3 yr olds to go to post in years and one of the weakest in history.

I'd love to see Russell Baze or David Flores win.  Both are hard working jocks and are humble with the fans.  

I would like anyone on this list to win their first derby!! But if i had to pick one it has to be Jersey Joe Bravo.... maybe b/c i'm a monmouth regular and waiting for 5/9....

Migs!  Migs!  Migs!  And next year I want him to win The Oaks on my filly!

Yes, big Migs fan, but because I have heard so many good things about him from young riders that leave here and end up in the Jock's room with him.  They all talk about how he was kind to them and helped them to not make the same mistake twice.  He is also a fine tactical rider and it would be a thrill to see him win the Derby after his win at the Breeder's Cup.  Go  Migs!  If I had the horse, you'd be up!

Johnny V - he's won evrything else why not the derby!

whichever one is riding a triple crown 3 year old.  

I would love to see either Albarado or Bejarano win. I just love the way they ride.

Edgar Prado wins on Vineyard Haven.... sorry boys...

Footprint: Your handle is the same as the horse who was 2007 Horse of the Year in Alberta, he won the Canadian Derby among others. If it's the same Eddie Martin Jr., I met him and his dad and brother years ago at Canterbury Downs the first year it opened. Very nice family and gentlemen.I have a win picture dated 7/10/85, Secret Discovery with Eddie Martin up. Marcel Crowe Trainer. Is it the same guy I wonder?

Garrett Gomez, it will add a nice touch to his Hall of Fame plaque.

Richard Migliore without a doubt.  Hall of Fame career, but needs one of those classics under his belt for the rest of the higher powers that be to realize he belongs to the elite club of riders.  Best horseman to ever break from the gate. Bar none.

everyone of those jockeys are deserving, an i hope they all do it before the end of there career.My vote has to go to Richard Migliore, I think he deserves it more sooner than later

Definitely Edgar Prado is my choice.  He exhibits ultimate caring for the horses he rides, and was so in tune with Barbaro, he stopped Barbaro rather than let him race on...  He's the best.

I would like to see Edgar Prado. no reason.

SOLIS...This guy has placed 3 out of 4 times in the Kentucy Derby, has won the Preakness, and has showed 3 times in the Belmont (that I can count).   He's due.

Looks like Animal Planet is running a show called JOCKEYS and will feature Solis, M Smith, and some others who participated in the Oak Tree Meet.  You can e-mail Smith directly and ask him how it felt to win 9 in a row on Zenyatta.  A whole season undefeated.  Something neither Big Brown, Curlin, or the New England Patriots could do.

I think Russell Baze deserves the utmost!! One of the greatest!!  Robby comes next-brillant.  If Johnny V would change trainers, I could seriously give him a shot too.

Richard Migliore gets my vote, I have never seen anyone with more determination. He is the best horseman I have ever seen.