Puglisi, Sutherland, and Stra Add Drama to Jockey Series

[Hollywoodmike]

Friday night's episode of Jockeys on Animal Planet highlighted the trials and tribulations of being a jockey in Southern California. Iggy Puglisi cannot get many rides because he is viewed as only an exercise rider, Chantal claims riders undermined her in a race, and Kayla thinks the male riders are being petty about her being in the men's jockey room viewing the race replays. Plenty of drama in this episode. I enjoyed it!!!!

[Moonwalker]

I realize those jockey quarters were built back in the 30's when there weren't women riders, but has anyone ever heard of remodeling? It would solve the ridiculous problem of women having to traipse through the men's changing room to share the same equipment and facilities.

Is this the same situation in other racetracks across the country? I wonder. For example, Churchill Downs has been doing extensive remodeling of the whole plant since the early 80's (the paddock used to be a glorified cow shed before then) -- have they changed practical things like locker rooms, or have they only concentrated on exterior beautification for the public?

As a side note, I still have an old article from the Louisville Courier-Journal from the early 70's, when the first woman jockey rode in the Kentucky Derby (Diane Crump, 1970, riding "Fathom" -- which I thought was "Phantom." My mother used to cut out Kentucky Derby articles from the paper and save them for me, since I was six years old.) She was not allowed in the jockey's room at all, since it was just for men; she had to change clothes in a nurse's office.

Mary MMM
who was an Interior Design/ Art major in college -- this whole topic strikes a nerve, LOL

[LARHAGE]

Jeesh, this episode should be called The Crybabies, man I almost had to get up and grab a box of tissue, Iggy wants to be taken seriously yet doesn't have an Agent, Chantal wants the guys on the track to part like the Red Sea for her because she's special, Kayla wants the track to build her a new film viewing room so she can watch her last place finishes over and over to see where she could improve.

[Classy]

I watched it and did not think they where crybabies at all. There is a matter of a respect issue going on. It was clear how the jockeys treated the women jockeys, as for Sutherland they did block her in. They move over for there fellow riders when they have a horse full of run. As for Stra the comments and treatment was clear. They need to watch the replays and it is in the male jocks room only? Why shouldn't she stand up for her self. Puglisi should get a agent and a chance to try again at the sport he loves. As for Martin Garcia it just proved what a jerk he is . White hat - why is he even on there.

[WAM]

What is the real reason Iggy can't get a break? I liked him on TVG, He seems good in the am why no love?

[Kermit]

What is the real reason Iggy can't get a break? I liked him on TVG, He seems good in the am why no love?

That episode made Iggy appear the biggest loser of all times, plus his eyes were red every scene, he looked like a wino. Sad.

[Alaidekman]

Just my opinion, but seems to me Iggy is a good person and an excellent exercise rider (can work a horse to instructions, and give the trainer a good report after on how he felt, any problems, etc) but on this circuit only an average rider at best. We used him 3 times on Truly A Judge in small stakes in 2003 -finished 2nd as 2/1 2nd choice, so that figured. 3rd as 3/1 2nd choice in a G3 when nosed at the wire for 2nd which we felt he should have held, then 5th as 5/2 2nd choice at Fpx when he didn't get out of the gate well, not what we wanted from that horse on that track.

Small fields really work against an average rider with no particular strong suit -- like Pedroza out of the gate, Toro (or Nakatani) on the turf, Eddie D. on a closer, Pincay for a horse that needs strong handling, etc. As an owner, when you maybe get 8 races a year out of your horse, if your rider isn't availalble (sick, suspended, out of town) would you really go to Iggy over a rider like Talamo, Smith, Baze or Rosario? Most races at least some riders in this class are avaiable. If it is the trainer who picks the rider, it would be a difficult conversation with the owner on race day if he sees Iggy on his horse and riders like this don't have mounts. Sure, if Iggy works the horse, naming him makes some sense, and that's why AM work is extremely important for the lesser jockeys; but when your money is on the line, you really want the best avaialble and in a small field that wouldn't get down to a rider of Iggy's skills too often. Maybe he'll get some live mounts at Fpx where a lot of the big boys don't ride. Hope so, because he's a good guy, but he's in a tough position at the major So Cal tracks.

By the way, these shows were filmed in the Spring. Does anyone know if he actually got married? I was thinking, since at least part of the wedding would have been on the show, he could have gone to a venue and asked for a good deal, since they'd get the TV publicity. My wife and I were married in a small ceremony in Tahoe, then had a reception for 100 or so at Santa Anita (private balcony on clubhouse turn). Very nice, guests had a great time, not expensive (under $30/head back in '94). I guess Iggy spends enough time at the track that wouldn't be his dream location -- although they would probably also give him a super deal -- but it is something some of you soon to be hitched types might want to consider.

Al

[Roys]

Why don't some of these riders go to a smaller venue? Seems to me they could outride a lot of the characters in AZ or NM