Russell Baze

[UmmYeah]

Damn. On Wednesday, he won five of his six mounts, and yesterday he won six of his seven mounts. Even if most are favorites, that's still quite a run.

[Tucumcari]

Sure it's a run, but lets keep in mind that he gets the cream of the crop AND one of those wins (the maiden of Greg's) was a THREE horse field.

[Rokeby Forever]

Damn. On Wednesday, he won five of his six mounts, and yesterday he won six of his seven mounts. Even if most are favorites, that's still quite a run.

Tucumcari could have won with four of those five winners. She would have fallen off the fifth one. LOL!

[Whirlaway]

No doubt, quite a run, can't take that away from him and as the jockey w/the most wins, that number continues to grow ...

Wonder how he'd do down at SA or Bel or CD when they meet. How good is he really when he has never contested in one of the tougher jockey colonies or has never won a Classic.

[Rokeby Forever]

Whirlaway - he once tried the big circuit and bombed. But at that time, the colony was set with more of the past HOFers.

[UmmYeah]

Whatever. Dis him if you must, but the fact of the matter is 85% winnning is unreal, regardless of where it is.

[Tucumcari]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Roke.
I have all of the respect in the world for Russell. He rides better than anyone by miles in northern California. BUT one has to keep in mind that he rides first call for the kings of the place. He has his pick of the best horse in a field, best horse in an entry, best horse in a three horse field. Believe me, no offense intended. Yes he holds the record, but where would he be if had to ride against the best riders in this or any other country. He would be ordinary, has been ordinary. Match race with Laffit on horses of equal talent... Laffit.

[majxmom]

His agent Ray Harris deserves a big shout-out as well. That guy is one of the five best handicappers I know, and it really helps him pick the most likely winner.

[Tucumcari]

When he pulls himself out of the kitchen where he is playing cards, he I'm sure does a great job. His business is made. He doesn't have to "hustle" book up there. Or handicap to figure out which is the best horse.

[majxmom]

I think perhaps you don't give enough credit to how much information he's picking up in the kitchen...

[Tucumcari]

Clever....LOL!
We know the food isn't the big draw...
Now it might be for Oakland Ron or Tall Dave, but me thinks not the case for Ray....

[UmmYeah]

Sure, he rides first call for the best trainers and therefore gets the best horses. And why do you think that is? Is it his birthrite? Does he have photos of them in compromising positions? Or did he get to ride first call by working hard and succeeding, day in and day out, meet after meet, year after year?

[Rokeby Forever]

Frank Alvarado and Octavio Vergara must be 60 years old. I remember when each tried the NY circuit in the '80s. It must be nice to ride 1:5 shots against guys ready for Social Security.

What instructions does Baze get in the paddock...."Hold on and don't fall off?"

[Tucumcari]

Who else are they going to ride?
Case in point Alex Bisono. Barely gets a mount in southern california and heads north as a starving guy with no business. Suddenly out of no where Alex can ride, and ride well enough to be in the top five riders with earnings over 500,000. THAT is who Russell has to beat. guys who aren't competitive on other circuits. That's also a HUGE part of why he is riding 1-5 shots with some regularity.

[Whirlaway]

Hypothetical race all things equal with the following jocks: Pincay, Bailey, Stevens, Cordero, McCarron, Desermaux, Nakatani, Day, Valenzuela, Baze. Which jock do you favor? Now I like Mr. Baze and have bet on him on several occasions and won, but in this case would he get the nod?

I think I'd go w/Arcaro!