Good luck to Joel, those of us in California have been spoiled by his incredible talent for years now. From the GG and old Bay Meadows meets when he rode against Russell, to his invasion into So. Cal and to this point distinguishing himself as the best in the West.

Look out NY colony, you’re getting a fantastic kid to compete against, better bring your A game.

And for those that bet on him get used to yelling his name as he crosses the wire first. P.S. It’s pronounced “Jo-EL”

Not a move I would advise. He’s 6th in the nation in earnings. That with having a very quiet last 30 days because of chasing the Triple Crown, sadly having to attend to his brother and suspensions.
Not sure what the desired goal would be. Top 5 in the nation in total earnings? Already there. Live Triple Crown mounts? Already there. Breeders’ Cup Prospects? Already there. Has won two.
Here’s the thing. He’s dominant in California. Something that is VERY VERY hard to accomplish. For some reason riders from back east with equal talent have tried it out here and failed. Never understood why but many have crawled home with their tail between their legs.
Also riding here is about 50,000 times easier logistically than bouncing around back east. Saratoga? Of course. What about the winter? Aqueduct ( inner ) don’t think so for a kid from the Dominican. Keeneland? Sure. Will have build relationships. Gulfstream? Sure. Same story there.
California on the other hand is Valhalla for a guy that has his business. Fantastic weather year round. Live in the same house all but 7 weeks when somehow he has to endure a condo on a San Diego beach.
His morning work here is a total piece of cake. Breeze your stakes horses. Help out at Sadler’s and a couple of marquee barns and kick around the backside politicing and visiting. Take some mornings off ( not an option at Belmont ) and ride nothing but 6/5 shots.
He and Bejarano are friends. More importantly their agents work together to freeze out other riders and keep the business in the top two family. VERY IMPORTANT! Also not possible back east.
I understand when you’re young and super talented new adventures seem exciting. I say try river rafting, bungee jumping or of course musicals.
There’s a certain little girl with Ruby slippers that said it best. And she was from Kansas for crying out loud. Not the paradise that So. Cal is.
Don’t do it Joel. Beeeg Meeestake.

 what an interesting move he’s making. am curious how he’ll do since
velazquez will probably miss half of saratoga. because in new york you
have dominguez, castallano dominating the races even napravnik is 3rd
right now and lezcano is right now 4th the last time i checked the
standings. suprising that leparoux isn’t doing that well as i had
thought he would. it would suprise me if he did very well but it
wouldn’t suprise me if he leaves the middle of saratoga and comes back
for the middle of del mar. i bet you anything this gives jockeys
bejarano, talamo and even eswan flores a chance to win more races since
rosario was dominating so.cal for the past 3 years.

As soon as I saw where Johnny V. would be out a while, I thought it would be a smart move to ride here in NY. People do not realize how many outfits JV rides for…it isn’t just Pletcher. It won’t be easy. Bemont and Saratoga are two different animals, but he rode a little at Saratoga one summer so he is not completely a novice there. I wish him luck … I doubt he will stay the winter…  I think he views this actually as a  short term gig.

me too

In SoCal there is one meet at a time.  Belmont base gives him access to all major east coast races and horses and trainers, plus FL in winter.  He gains more options.  Nothing to loose, a lot to gain.  If it doesn’t work out he can go back and be welcomed by SoCal trainers who need go riders. If he doesn’t like Fl he can always ride SoCal in winter.  Good business decision.

Jockey have no more or less loyalty than any one else in the sport.  SoCal is headed down, NY.