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Top Jockey's Preview

136th Run for the Roses

4/27/10

The old saying goes �a jockey is only as good as the horse between his legs�. In most races the jockey can�t get the best horse beat in the Kentucky Derby that can and does happen. A smart and capable pilot can help a horse outrun his odds. A bad jockey can get a short priced horse beat in the Run for the Roses. In the Kentucky Derby it is rare you will find a bad jockey, but some have more accolades than others. Let�s take a look at some of the most successful jockeys in the Kentucky Derby this year.

Calvin Borel - Who says a toothless boy from Cajun country can�t be highly successful? Calvin Borel took the Kentucky Derby on the favored Street Sense in 2007 and with 50-1 shot Mine That Bird in 2009. He gave both horses a rail skimming ride. He has earned the nickname �Bo-rail� for his willingness to wait and save ground on the risky rail. He is the undisputed king of Churchill Downs at the moment. We can�t really tell you why or how, but horses are just running for him that won�t run for other jockeys. He will be riding the highly talented Super Saver this year. It won�t be a surprise to see Calvin take the Roses for the third time in his life. He is a must use on all exotic tickets.

Kent Desormeaux - This jockey has come close to completing the Triple Crown on several occasions. The most recent was Big Brown in 2008. He also won the first two legs of the Triple Crown on Real Quiet before losing the Belmont by a nasty nose. Superman Desormeaux won the Kentucky Derby with Fusiachi Pegasus too. This year he will ride the up and coming Paddy O� Prado. The colt will be making his first start on the dirt. He has been working up a storm, but he has to improve off his last effort to have a chance here. We like him at a huge price. Kent as the pilot is a plus.

Garrett Gomez - Last year�s leading money earning has won just about every race a jockey could win except for any of the Triple Crown races. He was second last year on Pioneerof The Nile. The 38-year-old jockey has only had 6 tries. His best hope yet could be this year on the favored Lookin at Lucky. The colt has won 6 of 8 starts and both of his losses came after a poor trip. Gomez rides with ice in his veins and he has a well known reputation as a big money rider. He wants to win this race more than anything. He has the �eye of the tiger� if you will. Leave him off tickets at your own risk.

John Velazquez - This guy has the worst luck. Last year he was supposed to ride Florida Derby winner Quality Road who would have been the favorite. This year he lost Eskendereya who would�ve been an even bigger favorite than Quality Road would have been. He ends up on the filly Devil May Care. She won the Frizette at two and took the Bonnie Miss this year. Velazquez will give her a hell of a ride, but it�s tough to say if she is ready for the big stage right now.

This is a unique Kentucky Derby because only two of the jockeys in the race have won it in the past. Those jockeys are Kent Desormeaux and Calvin Borel. Both pilots have won the race multiple times. Mike Smith has the mount on a bubble horse and if he gets in that will make three jockeys with a win. Don�t let the guy on your horse discourage you from betting. All of the jockeys in this year�s event are the best of the best. You will get your money�s worth.