Julien Leparoux heading to Southern California

[PeteMo]

As always, when critisized publically, said jockey had three wins today, NONE on Turf.

Gotta love it!

I said earlier in this thread is a top synthetic rider, Top 2-3 in the country. He knows how to get a horse to settle and relax, either on the lead or from behind. The Santa Anita conveyor belt is a whole different game. 2 breakdowns in the first week already, if this was Del Mar it would be making headlines about the "dangerous surface". At Santa Anita the breakdowns don't seem to be counted the same as they are at Del Mar where the media stalks out mornings works and the afternoon injuries.

[Tvghrtvfan]

Are you sure he should go to Southern Calfiornia? He won 3 today at Keeneland including a graded stakes today.

[Hollywoodmike]

I just can't get the ugly graphic out of my head of how badly he rode Union Rags.... just butchered the colt.

[Syncopate]

Let's face it. His achilles heel is that he cant get horses out. He'll be so far back in these Santa Anita races, you'll
need a search warrant to find him. His style of riding does not fit the track profile here.

As Jim Cramer says on his CNBC show-

" Hope is not part of the equation. "

In the early 80's Jersey Joe Bravo came out here. And then left.
Robbie Alvarado made the remark that Del Mar was like any other track but it had a beach. He's gone too.
Dana Whitley thought his Mountaineer/ Charles Town form would translate to S. Cal. Didn't work.

Sure Mig & Jon Court stuck it out for awhile, but unless you can win in bunches early like a Talamo or Bejarano, forget it.

Santa Anita doesn't have a synthetic track any more, & only a couple turf races each day. That ain't gonna pay the rent.

[Tvghrtvfan]

I just can't get the ugly graphic out of my head of how badly he rode Union Rags.... just butchered the colt.

I thought yesterday we saw the old Julien Leparoux. I hope this old Julien Leparoux can continue this when he comes to CA.

This year I saw a totally different Leparoux and was always making mistakes that wasn't Leparoux that I knew that racking up wins in Kentucky. I think Union Rags was certainly the icing on the cake the way he rode him in both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby.

[Tvghrtvfan]

Let's face it. His achilles heel is that he cant get horses out. He'll be so far back in these Santa Anita races, you'll
need a search warrant to find him. His style of riding does not fit the track profile here.

As Jim Cramer says on his CNBC show-

" Hope is not part of the equation. "

In the early 80's Jersey Joe Bravo came out here. And then left.
Robbie Alvarado made the remark that Del Mar was like any other track but it had a beach. He's gone too.
Dana Whitley thought his Mountaineer/ Charles Town form would translate to S. Cal. Didn't work.

Sure Mig & Jon Court stuck it out for awhile, but unless you can win in bunches early like a Talamo or Bejarano, forget it.

Santa Anita doesn't have a synthetic track any more, & only a couple turf races each day. That ain't gonna pay the rent.

I heard that Joe Bravo tried it out but flopped. I didn't know Robby tried it here too but only his wins in Kentucky was where he was great at. Dana Whitney tried it here too but he flopped hard that I knew of. Richard Migliore and Jon Court held their own for awhile but left because of family reasons but I think Jon wasn't doing too well at the end of his run in CA. Of course Joe Talamo, Rafael Bejarano and Joel Rosario (when he was starting out before becoming the top so.cal jock) were winning the races out there.

I agree though the turf races are just going to be a couple a day but I think Julien may have a nice Hollywood Fall because of the polytrack there. I think Julien's specialty is the polytrack aside from turf. I don't know if he'll get Talamo, Bejarano, Gomez like mounts but am rooting for him to do well.

[Johnnyrotten]

Goof ,Have to respect the opinion of somebody who watches races everyday as part of your job, but off the top of my head, it would seem Bejarano, Johnny Velasquez, Castellano, Rosario, Dominguez, Talamo all riders I would prefer over Leparoux. have aslo failed to mention an unending list of wily vets of questionable character, real or percieved.

[Thinkinproblem]

Including Julien as part of an overall wagering strategy at the BC. Strictly based on his performance at the last SA breeders cup. Eliminate him at your own risk.

[Tvghrtvfan]

Goof ,Have to respect the opinion of somebody who watches races everyday as part of your job, but off the top of my head, it would seem Bejarano, Johnny Velasquez, Castellano, Rosario, Dominguez, Talamo all riders I would prefer over Leparoux. have aslo failed to mention an unending list of wily vets of questionable character, real or percieved.

I also would prefer Jose lezcano, Garrett Gomez and Rosie napravnik over Julien but Julien is a talent and how did he manage though to get an Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey?

[Goofonroof]

Goof ,Have to respect the opinion of somebody who watches races everyday as part of your job, but off the top of my head, it would seem Bejarano, Johnny Velasquez, Castellano, Rosario, Dominguez, Talamo all riders I would prefer over Leparoux. have aslo failed to mention an unending list of wily vets of questionable character, real or percieved.

Everyone you mentioned is a terrific talent. Leparoux will do VERY well here this time because of a number of factors. By far the biggest being he'll ride pretty much everything for Mike Mitchell. Tremendous foundation right out of the blocks. He'll definately adapt his riding approach based on the instructions he'll get from So.Cal trainers. That's not even a consideration. Having Joe Ferrer as his agent is also a huge asset. If anyone can juggle two top riders and get away with it (I couldn't) it's Joe. He can funnel some of Bejarano's 2nd calls to Julien instead of having to give them up to Talamo or Garcia. Huge tactical edge. Also, Bejarano is one of the best people I've ever met. He gave his blessing for this move and will honor his word 100% unlike some others over the years.

Leparoux is a mortal cinch to be top five. I make him 2nd or 3rd fighting with Talamo for that spot.