A week ago or so, it was announced that "Frankie Dettori has won the title of 2020 World's Best Jockey, meaning the legendary rider has received the award for three consecutive years."

    That also means he has won this subjective 'competition' in four of the last six years as determined by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, whoever they are. Baloney. As determined by the International Federation of Tracktimestoday Authorities, the world's best jockey is Joel Rosario.

    According to the rules, the scoring process rewards jockeys for finishing in the top three in what the organization has determined are the world's top 100 Group or Grade I races. So if a rider buries the competition in Gr. I's that are outside the supposed top 100, he or she is out of luck. 

    Dettori won five of the supposed 'top 100,' plus some seconds and thirds, and in so doing earned 102 points. He defeated Ryan Moore, the 2014 and 2016 winner, by four points. William Buick was third with 66 points, and Irad Ortiz Jr. fourth with 64. 

    Joel Rosario, who the Tracktimestoda 's Authorities determined is No. 1, finished in a tie for 23rd with Javier Castellano in the Dettori poll. Javier is tied for No. 2 with Irad on the Tracktimestoday list. 

    Here are the five world-renowned Gr. I's Dettori won to nail down his trophy: the Gold Cup (Stradivarius) St. James Palace Stakes (Palace Pier), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Enable), Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Stradavarius), and Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (Palace Pier). 

    First of all, as a non-follower of European racing, I have no idea what the names in parentheses are, other than I know that in two of the races the winner's trophy was a much-sought-after violin. In two others, they won a wooden walkway out into a body of water. Secondly, if those races are what the world's best jockey is determined by, these guys have a real problem.

    For the first of Frankie's last three titles in a row, in 2018, I'd love to know how he made the grade against Mike Smith, who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes and Santa Anita Derby aboard Justify. That feat by itself would have made Mike No. 1 on the Tracktimestoday list without even having to search for races featuring violins and piers. 

    After Ortiz at No. 4, the next U. S.-based rider listed with IFHA is John Velasquez at No. 12, followed by Luis Saez at No. 20, then Rosario and Castellano. 

    Note to the IFHA: Find another category to give your award to, possibly, top 100 violin players.   

 

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