Quote from: stark on August 03, 2018, 01:40:24 PMI was just talking to someone about him the other day. I think he tacked somewhere around 123 about 40 years ago. If he could have just got his weight down to 117, he would have contended for leading rider at most so. CA meets. He was a great jock, he just couldn't get his weight down, probably physically impossible. I remember that Shoemaker missed a couple of races that Stardust Mel was entered in years and years ago. One because he was riding Avatar in the Belmont and the other--the Hollywood Gold Cup--because of serving days. Whittingham had a couple of others in those races as well, Pierce committed to a mare La Zanzara so he couldn't sub for Shoe on Stardust Mel. Most figured Charlie would use Fernando Toro since he rode Stardust Mel a lot the he was with Larry Rose. Instead, Whittingham put Toro on his third horse, an unheralded South American import named El Tarta, and put Grant on Stardust Mel. His reasoning was that, other than Shoe and Laffit Pincay, Grant was the best jock in the room and because Stardust Mel was a high weight, 126 I believe, Grant could easily make the weight. Not often a jock got a better mount because they had trouble making a lighter weight.
RIP
Curtis will remember this guy.
No mention of how tall he was, but I always thought him to be about 6'
http://live.drf.com/nuggets/44115-howard-grant-top-rider-from-1960s-and-70s-has-died-at-age-79
Quote from: curtis on August 03, 2018, 04:42:54 PM
I was just talking to someone about him the other day. I think he tacked somewhere around 123 about 40 years ago. If he could have just got his weight down to 117, he would have contended for leading rider at most so. CA meets. He was a great jock, he just couldn't get his weight down, probably physically impossible. I remember that Shoemaker missed a couple of races that Stardust Mel was entered in years and years ago. One because he was riding Avatar in the Belmont and the other--the Hollywood Gold Cup--because of serving days. Whittingham had a couple of others in those races as well, Pierce committed to a mare La Zanzara so he couldn't sub for Shoe on Stardust Mel. Most figured Charlie would use Fernando Toro since he rode Stardust Mel a lot the he was with Larry Rose. Instead, Whittingham put Toro on his third horse, an unheralded South American import named El Tarta, and put Grant on Stardust Mel. His reasoning was that, other than Shoe and Laffit Pincay, Grant was the best jock in the room and because Stardust Mel was a high weight, 126 I believe, Grant could easily make the weight. Not often a jock got a better mount because they had trouble making a lighter weight.
Quote from: stark on August 05, 2018, 12:23:18 PM
CNak went down in Saturday's nitecap, cost his horse his life, thanks to careless riding by apprentice AEspinoza by all indications, we'll see what the stewards have to say.
Matt Nakatani
@MATT_NAK
POSITIVE NEWS! We just met with the spinal specialist & he will be released from the hospital shortly. He thankfully escaped without any major injuries, however his timetable to return to riding is uncertain. Don't worry, we will come back stronger than ever!
Quote from: stark on August 07, 2018, 03:56:58 PMI don't don't know if one would classify it as ironic or coincidental that Victor Espinoza'a nephew caused another jock to have a spinal injury. What I do know is that it is unfortunate.
Jay Privman
@DRFPrivman
Corey Nakatani, involved in accident in final race Saturday at @DelMarRacing, will have back surgery within 2 weeks but will then be off 2 months, then return to action, all per his son and agent.
(maybe he'll lose a few unwanted pounds in the process)
Quote from: stark on August 07, 2018, 03:56:58 PM
Jay Privman
@DRFPrivman
Corey Nakatani, involved in accident in final race Saturday at @DelMarRacing, will have back surgery within 2 weeks but will then be off 2 months, then return to action, all per his son and agent.
(maybe he'll lose a few unwanted pounds in the process)