Garrett Gomez took off of a Ramsey/Maker horse earlier this week because he didn\'t think the horse was warming up properly. Since then both Ramsey and Maker have replaced Gomez on every mount. I suggest that the next crippled horse they decide to run perhaps they should just strap Sarah Ramsey on. Then Kenny boy just might understand what\'s at stake in REAL LIFE.
Let me say first that I know nothing about this incident.
However, I once had Alex Solis tell the Track Vet the same thing about a horse he was riding for me and got us scratched at the post.
The fact is there was nothing wrong with the horse, but he had the favorite in the next race, a half million dollar purse...and wanted to rest.
My horse was entered a few days later and won...and went on to win again and again.
All together, a jockey may have his own agenda...guess who never got a call for any more of my horses, either?
Your point is well made. But just out of curiosity, if a jockey for legitimate reasons thinks the horse is off but is intimidated into riding it anyway, does the owner and trainer think they bear ANY responsibility? Will they be there to help the jock transfer from his wheelchair to the toilet? To just say that it\'s a risk that comes with the job and that once they climb on, they can\'t get off just seems pretty callous.
Sorry for the delay in getting back.
If a jockey feels something is off in the warmup and tells the track vet, I have been told the vet will almost automatically scratch the horse, partly because of the liability issue...it\'s not just about the owner or trainer...it\'s also the track\'s liability at that point.
Therefore, it is very unlikely that anyone has any ability to pressure a jockey into riding in this instance.
If a jockey has anything to say before getting on the horse, they will likely just get another jockey. I don\'t think that Maker or the owner would have penalized Gomez in the way you describe if they felt there was anything wrong with the horse. They probably felt he had a different motive.