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Bejarano to ride Line of David instead of Court

Posted: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 2:50 PM

LINE OF DAVID

Coady Photography

by Jeff Lowe

Jockey Rafael Bejarano will replace Jon Court on Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Line of David in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), trainer John Sadler said Tuesday.

Bejarano piloted Line of David to the first two wins of his career, both on turf at Santa Anita Park. Court stepped in for the colt’s front-running victory at 17.30-to-1 odds at Oaklawn Park for owners Ike and Dawn Thrash.

“Rafael rode him in his two wins at Santa Anita and worked him extensively at Santa Anita, and we felt that for this race we were going to go with our home-team player,” Sadler said. “He’s one of my primary riders out there in California. We looked at everything and decided to put Rafael Bejarano back on him for the Kentucky Derby.”

Bejarano has been the regular rider of Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Setsuko, who probably will fall short of the graded stakes earnings cutoff for determining the Derby field of 20.

“I rode the horse one time and I’m delighted that I had that opportunity,” Court said. “I thank John Sadler and Ike and Dawn Thrash for the opportunity. We had a great success, and I’m just looking for good times in the future. Rafael Bejarano had ridden the horse and he was open, so he pursued the mount, and that’s what he should do. I’m not bitter or sour or anything, I’m just delighted I had the chance to win a $1-million race. What else can I say?”

Sadler also trains speedy Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney’s Candy, the only Derby contender with three consecutive graded stakes victories. Joe Talamo has the mount on the Candy Ride (Arg) colt.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by: Tom, York, PA on April 29, 2010 at 01:05 AM

I was really looking forward to seeing Jon Court ride Line of David. To give the ride to someone else must be heartbreaking for Jon Court. His class comes shining through. The same thing happened last year when Mind That Bird switched Jockeys to Calvin, so I am not surprised here. Hopefully Jon Court will get some better mounts because of his gutsy ride. It is a shame Jon can not ride in the derby but maybe he will get a chance on Line of David in the Preakness where he has a much better chance of winning. The owner probably regrets his decision already.

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Posted by: Rayna DeRosa, carneige , PA on April 24, 2010 at 07:30 PM

Jon court should get the shot.He just won a million dollar race for the connections! He took the change of riders like a man.That is a class act,speaking of Jon Court.So unfair !is the musical rider changes.
I guess part of being a jockey.

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Posted by: Ron, San Jose, CA on April 24, 2010 at 02:08 PM

How do you know it wasn't one of the Trash's that made the call? John Sadler may have wanted to ride Court. Line of David is a longshot at best anyway but it would have been nice to see Jon Court in the Derby. Still, a win in a million dollar race, about $60k to Court and his agent, isn't bad. Look for some heavy booing at the Derby when the owners of Line of David are mentioned.

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Posted by: Russ-Judy, Bensalem, PA on April 23, 2010 at 07:23 AM

I also believe that Jon Court has shown the most class in this situation - he deserves a chance at the Derby!
Judy, Bensalem, PA

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Posted by: Bill, Manasquan, NJ on April 22, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Jon Court is a class act- his remarks were gracious and professional, unlike Sadler's decision.

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