"Jockeys" Reviewed

[MaryS]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08212009/tv ... 185524.htm

'JOCKEYS' IS UNEXPECTED TRIFECTA OF REALITY TV

By LINDA STASI
Posted: 12:22 am
August 21, 2009

POSSIBLY the most exciting unscripted show on TV is one you probably haven't ever watched -- or, at least, one I've never watched before.

And what a loser I am for having not reviewed the first season of "Jockeys," an Animal Planet show more about the human animal than the equine.

"Jockeys" focuses on the careers, the lives, the wins and losses of a group of riders based at Santa Anita Race Track in LA. It's about the horses they ride, the people they work for (and against) and the incredible tension and exhilaration they face every day when they're hired to ride -- or passed over.

This is the ultimate daily high stakes game when an injury can turn a $15,000-a-week rider into a $15-a-ride exercise boy. When a spill can mean putting down a million-dollar horse.

Unlike other reality shows that are based on this or that profession, this one actually takes us inside the rich world of racing -- the one we see and the one no one except the very, very few see.

There's not another TV show like it (except perhaps "American Idol," where each episode is so unbearably tense).

Here, the stakes are a bit higher --watching a 110-pound person astride a 1,200-pound horse going at breakneck speed and knowing that every ride holds the potential to ruin a jockey, harm the horse or both.

The jockeys we meet are (my personal favorite) Iggy Puglisisi, Chantal Sutherland, Kayla Stra, Alex Solis, Mike Smith, Joe Talamo, Aaron Gryder, Garrett Gomez (the highest money-winner) and Corey Nakatani.

On tonight's second season premiere, racing bad-boy Nakatani, who has been out of the game for three months after a bad injury, is fighting his way back to the races.

Three months might not seem like much time away, but in this biz it can be a lifetime. During that time, a jockey's best rides have been given to other jockeys and if they're winning on them, well, good luck getting them back.

Then, there's a "claiming race," in which any trainer can make a bid to buy any horse running. If your horse wins and a registered trainer has made a bid, goodbye horse and good luck.

Owners do it because they can make a lot of money if a, say, $10,000 horse is claimed for $40,000. Or because putting a $20,000 horse into a $10,000 race with lesser horses almost guarantees a win.

Hey, buddy! The good news is your horse won, the bad news is you lost your horse.

Episode 2 will make you cheer, scream, cry and go berserkers as though you had money on the horses and the show.

One final word: Get Iggy back in the race or in front of a TV screen. I love this guy.

[Dgstan]

I'm looking forward to the spinoff - "Jockeys of New York".

[Joel]

That review reads like it was written by an 8th grader..

[ScrapingThePaint]

Then, there's a "claiming race," in which any trainer can make a bid to buy any horse running. If your horse wins and a registered trainer has made a bid, goodbye horse and good luck.

Owners do it because they can make a lot of money if a, say, $10,000 horse is claimed for $40,000. Or because putting a $20,000 horse into a $10,000 race with lesser horses almost guarantees a win.

I never realized an owner can make a lot of money running horses in $10K claimers at Santa Anita.

[Dgstan]

Then, there's a "claiming race," in which any trainer can make a bid to buy any horse running. If your horse wins and a registered trainer has made a bid, goodbye horse and good luck.

Owners do it because they can make a lot of money if a, say, $10,000 horse is claimed for $40,000. Or because putting a $20,000 horse into a $10,000 race with lesser horses almost guarantees a win.

I also didn't know the horse has to win to be able to get claimed.

[Joel]

I would give 13 yo Linda Stasi a C+ on her paper..

[Beckron]

There are so many high points in that review that it's hard for me to put my finger on any single one. I think a C+ is very generous. Where were you at when I was in school Joel?

[PrivateSmiles]

Written by someone who obviously has no clue about horseracing. Which isn't all bad, since the show is hooking newbies.

[Oneafter909]

Trying to figure out what it is about Iggy that has her so giddy!

Hairline

[Moonwalker]

Trying to figure out what it is about Iggy that has her so giddy!

Hairline

I'm liking Iggy. He took a mature stance when CNak hit him and refused to fight in the locker room. Good job, Iggy.

Mary MMM