As of February 6, 2012, Javier has close to $1.4 Million in purse earnings and after the amazing year that he had in 2011, I believe that 2012 is only going to be better for the 5'1" jockey. Life is apparently oh so difficult for him, starting with the Fountain of Youth Stakes. Who should he ride, derby favorite, and running up in the Breeder's Cup Juvinelle, Union Rags or Algorithms, who is undefeated and is coming off a win in the Holy Bull Stakes, where the pair crushed 2-year-old Champion Hansen. Union Rags or Algorithms? Todd Pletcher, or Michael Matz? Bernardini's son or Dixie Union's son?
TOUGH CHOICE!
Personally, I would go with Union Rags, since I think he is the better horse, and he does have better chances to win the Derby. Although, everytime Michael Matz has a promising horse, all we hear is, what if this is another Barbaro in the making... (Also, like with Larry Jones..... is this another Eight Belles). The down side of going with Union Rags, is that it could make Todd Pletcher angry. Javier is one of Todd's "go-to" riders, and frankly in today's world of horse racing, Todd Pletcher is on the top of the list of trainer's that you do not want to piss off. Pletcher's Derby short list includes: Algorithms, Discreet Dancer, El Padrino, and Gemologist- Castellano is the regular rider on all four mounts.
What I think is actually going to happen, Javier will take the mount of Algorithms. Javier was the regular rider on his sire, Bernardini, and Stay Thirsty (a Bernardini colt) he knows the family traits well. I think over the years he probably has more trust in confidence in Pletcher as opposed to Matz, whom he does not work for nearly as much. Each horse has two more works before the race, and one of each work will go to Javier. He is supposed to make his decision on Saturday.
February 25th, we will see how smart Javier is...
picture source: google images
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