The WTC—What Does It Really Mean

[Silver Charm]

I would like to relay this conversation I had a couple of years ago one morning on the backstretch before the WTC recently held at Gulfstream.

This is not intended to be a let me tell you who I was talking to type thing—that's not my style. I was in a one-on-one with Hall of Famer Pat Day when Day out of nowhere blindsided me with this:

"You know The Derby is THE RACE but this is THE DAY. For all of us who make our living in this profession, jockeys and trainers alike, this is what we live for. Everybody is watching and it has major importance for all the Breeders and all the Owners. As a COMPETITOR this is the day you want to say you lined up against the best of the best, with a million dollars on the line, and you BEAT THE BEST. And you get to try and do it eight times that day. The Derby is fine but the WTC is what its all about.

You could almost feel the adrenaline and emotion in his voice. I was totally shocked, you could tell this was coming from deep in HIS OWN GUT.

I can't wait.

Good Luck Everybody.

Even ALL of you Raggies.

[Frost King]

It is definitely what it is all about. If you check the past results, only the top jockeys will win tomorrow. All you have to do, is check who has WON THE PARTICULAR RACE, because they now how to win the race! Bailey, Day and McCarron DOMINATED the CLASSIC, but Day and Bailey are a combined 0-for-26, with 2-seconds and 2-thirds. They may be great riders, but maybe not for that race. Each jockey has his particular specialty, and the second tier guys may get some pieces, but will be hard pressed to win. The nobodies, whether they are on favourites or longshots, don\'t have the parts to know when to go or when to sit and fire. It all comes from having the know how in pressure situations. If you haven\'t won, you don\'t know the \"modus operendi!\"

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

Hmmm

P.Val been there before

Krone

Bailey of course (without bobby)

Cornelio Velasquez

Kieren Fallon

David Flores

Alexis Solis

and

Alexis Solis


Some of these jocks may have won there before but they certainly weren\'t considered top echelon.  I think betting on jockeys is voodoo. Where the real money is made is knowing when to bet against them. Aldebaran was one of the worst sprint fav.s ever and he ran his race. Sightseek was another. Even Bobby doesn\'t know why she flopped.