Sunday, September 14, 2008
Chief Dan George
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." - Chief Dan George
Friday, September 12, 2008
Triple Crown
"To win the Triple Crown, everything has to line up absolutely perfect," John Veitch says. "The weather, the horse's condition, the track conditions, everything has to be just absolutely perfect."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Self-Explanatory
Louisville, KY:
In the Lexington Stakes, Garrett Gomez did not carry a whip because Bob Baffert said the horse hated being hit. On TV before the race, Jerry Bailey commented that most horses do not like being hit and will give their best without the whip. What is your view on whip use?
Robby Albarado:
I think each horse is different, but the fillies definitely do not like the whip. The colts sometimes need the whip.
Vero Beach, FL:
Robby, Based on all of your experience, knowledge and understanding of horses, please give us your most personal description of Curlin's personality and what your partnership with him was like.
Robby Albarado:
Curlin is a very aggressive colt, confident and is obviously very talented. To date he has been amazing to ride. He likes to bite visitors.
Hidden Valley Lake, CA:
Hello Robby, I have enjoyed watching Curlin grow up under the care and guidance of all who surround him. Can you give us some insight into Curlin's personality - and what makes him work so hard?
Robby Albarado:
He has a lot of determination, discipline and focus. That’s what makes him great.
Paris, KY:
What is the hardest part about being a jock (weight, the bettors, trainers)?
Robby Albarado:
Weight is the toughest thing. Trainers expect your 100% every race, so you have to do your best. Without the bettors we would not have purses.
Johnstown, PA:
When a horse is coming off an extended layoff, do you want the trainer to tell you why the horse was off or do you trust the trainer that the horse is back to being 100%?
Robby Albarado:
Yes, but most of the time the trainers offer the reason why the horse has been on an extended layoff.
Philadelphia, PA:
Besides a strict diet, what other measures do you take to prepare yourself both physically and mentally to be at your best on the track? Ever since you booted home Starforaday at 26-1 at Saratoga, you've been my younger brothers favorite jockey!
Robby Albarado:
Physically I work out in the gym three days a week. Mentally I watch films of races, especially good ones I’ve ridden!
Camas, WA:
What a wonderful ride in the Belmont, Johnny! Thank Garrett for us ladies too. I know there are people who feel strongly that whipping should be outlawed, Monty Roberts for one, and he's worked with a lot of Thoroughbreds including the world's #1 ranked Alleged. On the other hand, I've read that many jockeys believe that whipping is necessary for safety. How do you feel? How does whipping help safety? Thanks, Shari
John Velazquez:
I can you tell this. The whip is needed and we use it when it is necessary. In the case of safety, we need whips to keep the horses in as straight a line as possible and to avoid injury to themselves and riders. For example, I rode a horse recently who bolted to the outside fence. The only thing that prevented him from jumping or hitting the outside fence was my whip.
Murfreesboro,TN:
John, what was the loudest crowd you ever heard, turning for home?
John Velazquez:
To tell you the truth, at least for me, when turning for home we are so caught up in the moment of riding, we don’t hear anything. Particularly when you are caught up in a big race and are about to win it. If you hear the crowd it is because you are not in the race. I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do. When you are coming down the lane and are fighting to win the race, you are trying to make the best out of the race.
Marco Island, FL:
Hello John, Congrats on your recent Belmont victory. I asked a question of another great rider at this forum regarding one the most difficult aspects of race riding, and his answer was trying to determine what the other riders strategy is when in the heat of the contest; how do you know how to place a horse in all the frenzy? What is the single element to consider when making split second determinations?
John Velazquez:
I prepare for any kind of scenario. You definitely have to be prepared when you go out there. If you don't do your homework you can't be prepared for all the different decisions you have to make out there. You have to be prepared to change your mind in a split second. I do it for every race. I don't care what kind of race it is. I always look at what could happen, what should happen, and what kind of surprises I am going to get. And if you are right 30% of the time or 40% of the time, you are ahead of the game. We still make mistakes and there are things that are out of our hands. But I want to know.
North Andover MA:
How valuable was your discussion with Garrett Gomez prior to riding Rags to Riches?
John Velazquez:
I had watched her race every time, so I knew her different styles. But it definitely is always valuable to get insight into the horse’s temperament.
Lexington, KY:
John, you were the rider on another great filly trained by Todd, Ashado. Can you compare Rags to Riches at this point?
John Velazquez:
To be honest with you, I never compare horses because they are all so different—running styles, temperament, etc. Ashado was a great horse and danced every dance out there. Rags to Riches is a great horse already.
Johnstown, PA:
Hi John, I have wanted to be a Thoroughbred jockey for awhile now, and was wondering if you have any pointers and advice? And congrats on your awesome victory on one of my fav fillies (not just based on her Belmont win!) Rags to Riches!!
John Velazquez:
First of all, your weight is one of the most important things. Having your weight under control and having a healthy weight will help a great deal. Weight is very demanding on jockeys. And surround yourself with good people who are willing to teach you. You have put a lot of hard work and time into it and listen to their advice. Always remain positive and believe in yourself.
Vero Beach, FL:
Johnny, is it true what they say about the horses looking at each other eye to eye? Did Curlin and Rags to Riches do that? Thanks, Jennifer
John Velazquez:
They do it all the time and they are very competitive. Not only can you see it, but you can feel the power when they are doing that. It’s who wants to be stronger.
Paris, KY:
Thanks for sharing your time with us. Without putting you on the spot for specifics, are there times when you regret the way you rode a race?
John Velazquez:
It happens a lot. You made some mistakes, it’s human nature. When I am riding for Todd or one of my friends, I come back and say, “man I really messed up this one.”
In the Lexington Stakes, Garrett Gomez did not carry a whip because Bob Baffert said the horse hated being hit. On TV before the race, Jerry Bailey commented that most horses do not like being hit and will give their best without the whip. What is your view on whip use?
Robby Albarado:
I think each horse is different, but the fillies definitely do not like the whip. The colts sometimes need the whip.
Vero Beach, FL:
Robby, Based on all of your experience, knowledge and understanding of horses, please give us your most personal description of Curlin's personality and what your partnership with him was like.
Robby Albarado:
Curlin is a very aggressive colt, confident and is obviously very talented. To date he has been amazing to ride. He likes to bite visitors.
Hidden Valley Lake, CA:
Hello Robby, I have enjoyed watching Curlin grow up under the care and guidance of all who surround him. Can you give us some insight into Curlin's personality - and what makes him work so hard?
Robby Albarado:
He has a lot of determination, discipline and focus. That’s what makes him great.
Paris, KY:
What is the hardest part about being a jock (weight, the bettors, trainers)?
Robby Albarado:
Weight is the toughest thing. Trainers expect your 100% every race, so you have to do your best. Without the bettors we would not have purses.
Johnstown, PA:
When a horse is coming off an extended layoff, do you want the trainer to tell you why the horse was off or do you trust the trainer that the horse is back to being 100%?
Robby Albarado:
Yes, but most of the time the trainers offer the reason why the horse has been on an extended layoff.
Philadelphia, PA:
Besides a strict diet, what other measures do you take to prepare yourself both physically and mentally to be at your best on the track? Ever since you booted home Starforaday at 26-1 at Saratoga, you've been my younger brothers favorite jockey!
Robby Albarado:
Physically I work out in the gym three days a week. Mentally I watch films of races, especially good ones I’ve ridden!
Camas, WA:
What a wonderful ride in the Belmont, Johnny! Thank Garrett for us ladies too. I know there are people who feel strongly that whipping should be outlawed, Monty Roberts for one, and he's worked with a lot of Thoroughbreds including the world's #1 ranked Alleged. On the other hand, I've read that many jockeys believe that whipping is necessary for safety. How do you feel? How does whipping help safety? Thanks, Shari
John Velazquez:
I can you tell this. The whip is needed and we use it when it is necessary. In the case of safety, we need whips to keep the horses in as straight a line as possible and to avoid injury to themselves and riders. For example, I rode a horse recently who bolted to the outside fence. The only thing that prevented him from jumping or hitting the outside fence was my whip.
Murfreesboro,TN:
John, what was the loudest crowd you ever heard, turning for home?
John Velazquez:
To tell you the truth, at least for me, when turning for home we are so caught up in the moment of riding, we don’t hear anything. Particularly when you are caught up in a big race and are about to win it. If you hear the crowd it is because you are not in the race. I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do. When you are coming down the lane and are fighting to win the race, you are trying to make the best out of the race.
Marco Island, FL:
Hello John, Congrats on your recent Belmont victory. I asked a question of another great rider at this forum regarding one the most difficult aspects of race riding, and his answer was trying to determine what the other riders strategy is when in the heat of the contest; how do you know how to place a horse in all the frenzy? What is the single element to consider when making split second determinations?
John Velazquez:
I prepare for any kind of scenario. You definitely have to be prepared when you go out there. If you don't do your homework you can't be prepared for all the different decisions you have to make out there. You have to be prepared to change your mind in a split second. I do it for every race. I don't care what kind of race it is. I always look at what could happen, what should happen, and what kind of surprises I am going to get. And if you are right 30% of the time or 40% of the time, you are ahead of the game. We still make mistakes and there are things that are out of our hands. But I want to know.
North Andover MA:
How valuable was your discussion with Garrett Gomez prior to riding Rags to Riches?
John Velazquez:
I had watched her race every time, so I knew her different styles. But it definitely is always valuable to get insight into the horse’s temperament.
Lexington, KY:
John, you were the rider on another great filly trained by Todd, Ashado. Can you compare Rags to Riches at this point?
John Velazquez:
To be honest with you, I never compare horses because they are all so different—running styles, temperament, etc. Ashado was a great horse and danced every dance out there. Rags to Riches is a great horse already.
Johnstown, PA:
Hi John, I have wanted to be a Thoroughbred jockey for awhile now, and was wondering if you have any pointers and advice? And congrats on your awesome victory on one of my fav fillies (not just based on her Belmont win!) Rags to Riches!!
John Velazquez:
First of all, your weight is one of the most important things. Having your weight under control and having a healthy weight will help a great deal. Weight is very demanding on jockeys. And surround yourself with good people who are willing to teach you. You have put a lot of hard work and time into it and listen to their advice. Always remain positive and believe in yourself.
Vero Beach, FL:
Johnny, is it true what they say about the horses looking at each other eye to eye? Did Curlin and Rags to Riches do that? Thanks, Jennifer
John Velazquez:
They do it all the time and they are very competitive. Not only can you see it, but you can feel the power when they are doing that. It’s who wants to be stronger.
Paris, KY:
Thanks for sharing your time with us. Without putting you on the spot for specifics, are there times when you regret the way you rode a race?
John Velazquez:
It happens a lot. You made some mistakes, it’s human nature. When I am riding for Todd or one of my friends, I come back and say, “man I really messed up this one.”
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
All the world's a stage
In all professions we affect a part and an appearance to seem what we wish to be. Thus the world is merely composed of actors.
["All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."--Shakespeare, AS YOU LIKE IT {, Act II, Scene VII, Jaques}. - Francois duc de La Rochefoucauld
["All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."--Shakespeare, AS YOU LIKE IT {, Act II, Scene VII, Jaques}. - Francois duc de La Rochefoucauld
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Two Kinds of
"There are two kinds of truth. There are real truths and there are made-up truths." -- Marion Barry, mayor of Washington DC
"There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up, and the kind you make up." -- Rex Stout (1886-1975) American mystery writer.
"There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up, and the kind you make up." -- Rex Stout (1886-1975) American mystery writer.
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