Calvin Borel v. Mike Smith - style? expectation?

[Mom]

I'd be interested to hear what forum members think the difference would be in the race if MTB is ridden by Calvin v. Mike. What are the strengths/weaknesses of each jockey for this race & horse? How will their approach, reactivity, possibly result differ?

Thanks for your input...

[bdw0617]

I"m not the biggest mike smith fan out there. He's not a bad jockey, but... he's just not calvin. In the sense that he doesn't take the risks calvin does.

If MIke is on the best he will get him home. If you are banking on mike to get you home a 8 to 1 shot by outriding the 3/5 shot, you m ight as well toss your ticket in the trash

[karenkarenn]

I will however take a different approach.
Calvin does very well a churchill, Very well.
Mike Smith does very well in California.
As far as the Preakness.. well Calvin maybe on a good horse but how well does he know Pimlico like Churchill?
Its a tough question like whats their track record at Pimlico?
Karen

[bdw0617]

there are really IMHO two mike smith's. the pre injury mike smith and the post injury one. the pre injury one won it on pararie Bayou in 93. he also rode lure and holy bull.

the post one came in 4th with giacomo.


borel lost a photo on street sense that he should have won but underestimated curlin

[karenkarenn]

I mean besides the tripple crown races. What have they done there besides that.
I also am seeing the Jeremy Rose will ride Terrain- Interesting since he won the Preakness on Afleet Alex.
Karen

[bdw0617]

neither reguarlly ride at pimlico. borel is a churchill/oaklawn guy and mike smith at one time rode on the nyra circuit but now is out west

[Aug27]

Smith's won or placed in 17 Breeders' cup races; Borel in 1.
Neither one has had much recent success at Pimlico.
Both have styles that can't be described as "one way only", IMO: both can win on the front end or by rating or by closing. I wouldn't trust either with my money. (Been disappointed way too many times with Borel on a favorite and Smith on a non-favorite.)

I'd think the Pimlico edge (if there is one) would go to Prado, Dominguez, Desormeaux, Pino, Rose ... guys with hundreds of mounts over that track.

[reese]

I"m not the biggest mike smith fan out there. He's not a bad jockey, but... he's just not calvin. In the sense that he doesn't take the risks calvin does.

If MIke is on the best he will get him home. If you are banking on mike to get you home a 8 to 1 shot by outriding the 3/5 shot, you m ight as well toss your ticket in the trash

You must be referring yo Smith's 54-1 KD win on Giacomo

[karenkarenn]

Mike smith did win on another Preakness winner.. Praire Bayou
However, Since Mike wont ride MTB until the Preakness, doesnt that put him in a disadvantage
Karen

[zinn21]

Mike is an outstanding rider. Can win on any type of horse but you won't see Mike come up the rail like Borel. Matter of fact nobody rides the rail for big money like Borel. He is in a class by himself..

[bdw0617]

i'm not dissing the guy but I have a pretty detailed self made report on my PC of prettymuch every half major jockey in the country. Jockies hit bombs from occussion.

Mike Smith very rarley will run inside. his preffered trip is sitting off the pace and swopping wide. again, if he has the best, your golden.
Has one of the best "clocks" of any jockey in horse racing. that is probably his strongest assett IMHO


not a fan of him on the lead. there are better. sometimes puts his horses in tight spots.

borel takes chances, and when they pay off he looks good, but alot of times he can really screw some stuff up. i've seen him get trapped more than any jockey in the country. I've seen him bascially force holes. But he can get run out of his mounts there is no question about that. Calvin has a shot on any mount he is on.

[Aug27]

nobody rides the rail for big money like Borel. He is in a class by himself..

I personally don't see that practice as "a good thing". Sure, you're bound to get lucky once in a while when the rail opens up, but there's a reason he has the lowest win pct among the Preakness jockeys ... But, we are all entitled to form our own opinion.

[bdw0617]

that's the give and take with borel. it's why he doesn't ride for the assumssens and the pletchers, etc. he is too risk taking for his own good at times.


but at the same time, it's a catch 22 becuase if he were given the live mounts day in and out that alberado were given, etc, he would not have to take as mnay chances. he takes the chances he does beucase his horses aren't the bgest in the race usually. usually being the key word

[Tucumcari]

Mike is an outstanding rider. Can win on any type of horse but you won't see Mike come up the rail like Borel. Matter of fact nobody rides the rail for big money like Borel. He is in a class by himself..

I agree. He isn't exactly a ballsy, save ground kind of guy any more. More times than not he goes wide. He and Solis seem to suffer the same affliction.
Comparing Smith riding for John and Mike riding for "Chip" is like comparing apples and bananas. Mike has a great record of stepping up on big days for the people who are his bread and butter. Coming back to CA to have first call on Giacomo, Zenyatta etc was one of his better career moves.
Borel is increasingly more visible in the public eye. He is a smart riding cajun who's time of "glory" might just be coming to fruition.
They are very different styles. I tend to never bet Mike unless he is riding for John and then he's not worth betting as many horses in the jock trainer, owner combo are short prices.
I am sticking with Calvin and the filly that looks to be incredible

[bdw0617]

good analysis tuc

I espically agree with Solis. can't say I blame him though.

the leaf has definatly turned in socal jock wise.