Feb
5
Gomez Domination
Filed Under Uncategorized
Sometimes a rider gets into such a groove that he makes it look all too easy as he dominates his competition. That is what’s happening right now at Santa Anita, as Garrett Gomez appears to be toying with the riding colony, coming from behind with perfect timing to seemingly win every photo at the wire.
Today, for example: 2nd race, Gomez rallies a spent YMUSTICHASETHECAT back along the inside to run down even more exhausted runners for a half-length victory. 4th race, he prevails with a lugging in, won’t-change-leads 3-year-old for Baffert named AIR COMMANDER (who is not much, by the way). 6th race, rallies from well off the pace to bring home favorite BLUES STREET as he runs by the leader in the final stages. 8th race, he picks up the mount on MOLENGAO (Victor Espinoza was injured earlier in the day when he bailed off BARDY WOMAN, who broke down going into the first turn of 3rd race), then gets that one up late to nail BALL FOUR in the final jump. Why Julien Leparoux never went to the whip on the runner-up is anyone’s guess, but that’s another story. Gomez’s stats: four winners and an unlucky second aboard STRONG FAITH, who might have won the 3rd race with a better trip. He’s in a zone right now and the jockey race is turning into a one-man show.
Agent Nick Cosato has parted company with David Cohen. He will start representing another rider in the very near future, a young guy who has a lot of upside. More on this when it becomes official. Â
Three trainers are tied at the top with 15 winners: John Sadler, Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill. O’Neill got off to a slow start but is picking it up lately and probably has too many bullets not to win another title.
I ended an excellent week of handicapping by picking the first six winners ($32.60 in mutuel returns) on today’s card. I had grandiose ideas of the elusive “sweep” but couldn’t find any of the last three winners.
Services for Kellie Cerin will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Church of the Good Shepherd, 400 W. Duarte Road in Arcadia.
To view a Free Sample of today’s Premium Plays, click on the link below: Premium Plays for Feb. 4
Â
Comments
Leave a Reply