Herding Clinic

[BitPlayer]

Check out the head-on of today\'s 8th at the Spa.

[Boscar Obarra]

The other rider didn\'t think enough of it to claim. Maybe he didn\'t notice

[jimbo66]

Herding - yes.   A bit, but not a foul.

What the \"foul\" was that somehow Geroux didn\'t make the lead.   He lost a bob.   Wonder if the ground he lost by not making the lead with a horse that was EASILY the quickest gate horse, cost him the race.

Geroux another guy with a burgeoning reputation that is struggling early with the locals.

Jim

[Boscar Obarra]

Well, there was quite a bit of sideways movement in the last 1/16, and at what point would it become a foul I wonder? No question there was  some intimidation as the 4 is having to keep away from the size advantaged 3. Came out 4 paths at least.

 4 broke well enough but the rider seemed content to grab , and not try to clear. Could have been the very sloppy going.

[jimbo66]

Boscar,

You are right, there was a ton of herding.  But it was \"intimidation herding\", without contact.

I only play the major circuits (NY/Cali/Kentucky), but from those circuits i don\'t remember seeing a herding case where a horse drifted without contact and was taken down.  With contact, sure.  In this case, it was 4 paths, as you say, but no contact.  

As for Geroux, I am not giving him the slop as an excuse.  He looks outclassed for now at Saratoga.  Until I see some improvement, I will be hard-pressed to put a nickel on any horse he is riding.  

Good luck,

Jim

[BitPlayer]

Jimbo -

I\'m not surprised it wasn\'t a foul.  NY stewards seem to like to let \'em play.

Geroux\'s filly not really a good gate horse, but fast early.  She broke a half length behind the winner, rushed up, then backed off when Jose kept pushing.

Interesting decision to put Geroux on the horse in the first place.  There are other clearer \"send\" riders in that jocks room.  Maybe they were planning for a change in tactics on the turf. On the Fox  broadcast, Maggie seemed to invite Migliore to comment on Geroux as part of the handicapping puzzle.  Richie didn\'t bite.

[jimbo66]

Bit,

I heard that too.  but I also heard the trainer say he gave clear instructions to roll from the gate.

he got a neck in front, then took back.  

the racing form should be required reading for the jockeys.  That horse can only win from the front, as the trainer knew, but Geroux apparently not.

Maggie was spot on about the jockey, as she has been watching every race this meet.  He has butchered multiple rides on horses with tactical speed, taking them back to the back of the pack.  (ala vintage \"Frenchie\", aka Leparoux, who ironically has been more aggressive this meeting.  

We move on and adjust.

Where is Ramon Dominguez when you need him.....

Jim

[Boscar Obarra]

There was no contact, because  the 4 kept moving away from the threat.

 Not saying it should have come down , but that move might well have affected the outcome.

 Do you think the rider knew how far out he was \'carried\' ?  You\'d think  so, a little more and he could have signed an autograph for a railbird.