The Penn National jockeys alleged safety issues involving Gill’s horses, though some of them have continued to ride his stock at Philly Park.One would think that that's setting a double standard right? I mean you are not riding his horses at Penn National because of safety issues, but yet it's okay to ride them at Philadelphia Park? I've got a big problem with that for one big reason: If you ride them at one track, then you have to ride them at another. The same goes for if you don't want to ride them. I understand that being a jockey doesn't pay much, but you also have to standup for what's right sometimes. I know this might strike a nevre for some people, but this is something I need to talk about tonight. This is a case where I think setting a double standard is wrong, you either ride the horses in both tracks, or you don't. Decidesion making is supposed to be hard right?
I also have an update on Arcata, as you may or may not know the piece I wrote on Arcata ended up on TBA's Bloodhorse blog (I've submitted another post which I'm hoping will be up withen the next few days). Anyway, since I orginally posted that post, Arcata has run once more finishing second and being claimed by Amy Randolph. I asked on TBC, what people may know about her and from what it sounds like he's in good hands. I've been thinking of e-mailing Penn National, but I also don't want to bother them as well. Actually he runs tomorrow, so I'm really excited about that. As useal I hope all of the horses come out of the race, safe and sound.
Tomorrow, we will start breaking down this weekends races focusing on the three Derby preps, the Rebel, TB Derby and San Felipe. Who knew that Derby preps would be overshadowed by a non-graded stakes and a weak G1? When the stars of those races are Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, it's really no suprise at all.
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteDon’t be too upset at that Bloodhorse article about Penn jockeys riding Gill’s horses at Philly Park—it’s simply not true. The fact is, since Gill was ruled off Penn National on February 2, he’s had 21 runners at Philly, and the vast majority (13) were ridden by Abel Mariano, one of the jocks who didn’t go along with the boycott. Five were ridden by Stewart Elliott who doesn’t ride Penn National, and, frankly, I’m shocked he is riding for Gill again (he used to be his first-call rider back in 2004 at Monmouth). David Mello rode 1 horse, and Saul Arias rode 2—and only Arias rides occasionally at PN. So “some of them” is virtually 1 guy.
Thanks Valerie. Really disapointed to hear Stewart Elliot is riding his horses.
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