Garrett Gomez Jockey
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at Noon (ET)
Jockey Garrett Gomez capped a banner year in 2006 with a New Year's Day sweep of the graded card at Santa Anita, when he won both the El Canejo and the Monrovia to get 2007 off on a winning note.
Gomez, whose 261 wins included victories aboard such prominent runners as Wait a While, Aussie Rules, Bob and John, Sinister Minister, English Channel, Circular Quay, Honey Ryder, Too Much Bling, Pool Land, and Discreet Cat, among others, led all North American jockeys during the year just ended with purses totaling $20,122,592.
Among the many highlights of Garrett's career are the twin Breeders' Cup wins in 2005, when he was aboard both Juvenile winner Stevie Wonderboy and Mile victor Artie Schiller.
Join Garrett now as he takes your questions.
Atlantic Beach, FL:
I have long considered you an extremely talented jockey. Your riding skills remind me a lot of Angel Cordero Jr, the best rider I've ever seen. Can you tell me which jockey(ies) had the greatest influence on your career?
Gomez:
My father, Chris McCarron, Eddie D. But there were very many jockeys that influenced me!
Honolulu, HI:
Congratulation on a wonderful year! How did it feel to cross the finish line first in 2005 with Stevie Wonderboy at the Breeders' Cup? Was it one of your best riding moments? And how was it celebrating with Merv Griffin?
Gomez:
Like a feeling you can't describe! Yes, it was the best moment of my career! You only win your first Breeders' Cup ONCE! And Merv's the best!
To read the complete transcript of this chat, along with many others, check out Best of Talkin’ Horses.
Best of Talkin’ Horses features provocative “chats” with some of Thoroughbred racing’s most prominent names. Adapted from “Talkin’ Horses,” the popular weekly online chat series hosted by Bloodhorse.com, this edited collection provides additional insights by Ron Mitchell, editor and moderator of “Talkin’ Horses."
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