Rank the Drivers at NF

[BlackWater]

I've just been wondering what all you handicapping wizards think about the drivers at Northfield park. There have been a few changes recently - Gris gone to NY, Miller coming on, Shetler doing better lately........ Aaron.........?
Who are now the top drivers at NF, and how do they rank?

BW

[jimhorseman]

BW:

The line-up has changed quite a bit over the past few months. Should the ranking include the injured (Deaton), the short-timers (Miller, Shelter) or just the regulars (Merriman, Fisher Jr.)?

[BlackWater]

Are they "short timers" or will they hang around a while untill they get a "higher calling"? I'd like to see what you all think of the drivers we have NOW, whether they're here next week or not.
Why not get a weekly "driver rating" thing going? It would incite more discussions on this board, and invite some more insight to us "learners" lurking about trying to absorb your wisdom!

BW

[the believer]

ok , my opinion would be Miller , Deaton, Merriman, Stahl, Fisher (on his horses) Shetler(on his horses).......each of the above drivers is a winner of at least 15% of there starts . I would take a close look at Todd Jones 10% in wins for example , in certain races if looking for a driver( always underbet on a contender, and who you can get value on vs ANY OF THE ABOVE.

[trackrat]

1) Miller (sometimes over-rated by the betting public)
2) Stahl (really improved the last year)
3) Fisher (can leave for position or the lead)
4) Merriman (not the same guy he was before the accident)
5) Shetler (the Amish guy can drive!!)

Stahl and Shetler seem to be hot lately, at least on the horses I bet with them driving. "First time Fisher" is actually a very good angle, as is second time Fisher. In my opinion, Fisher is the most aggressive of the current Northfield drivers. He's also (I believe) the most experienced of them too, having won track championships way back when.

Deaton, if still at Northfield, would be ahead of Stahl.

[jimhorseman]

My Two Cents:

TOP TIER DRIVERS:

B MILLER: Equally effective on top or off the pace, gets the most from a horse. Could be one of the top in the country if he could straighten out his personal life. He's not up north this early in the season without reason.

R FISHER JR: Also drives well on top or off pace; not afraid to leave for position from outside post. Usually get a nice effort when he drives.

E DEATON: A top driver when he is interested. In my opinion does not always give best effort on catch drives - seems to rarely bring in a longshot catch drive into a top three position.

A MERRIMAN: Has he hit a plateau? One of Northfield's rising stars it looked like he would own the racetrack when Grismore left but seems to be slumping lately. Normally gives decent effort and can drive on front or off pace. He always gives his best effort when driving for a Schallaci trained horse.

A SHELTER: Borderline top tier driver. The main positive is that he always gives an effort no matter the situation. If I was an owner and needed a catch drive I would choose Shelter. It might just be my perception but seems that as hard as he tries he has trouble finishing the tight races. If on the lead he just gets caught and if coming off the pace just misses. Don't have facts to back that up just my observations.

MID-PACK DRIVERS:

Todd Jones: Aggressive with front runners, seems to get lost in traffic when coming off pace.

J Wengerd: Slowly showing improvement, possible up and comer.

R Stahl: I don't think quite at top tier, he seems best either on front or coming from way back. Seems to me he is a bit timid at times when mid-pack. Isn't aggressive pulling in front of coming animials when third or fourth on rail often getting locked in. Has a chance to be really good.

T Boring: Solid, unspectacular driver. Wins when he should, doesn't really get anything extra from a horse. I have no trouble using him when he has a top animal.

R Angus: See Boring above - seems like he should be better than he is. He is at his best on family owned stock.

A Short: I really like what I see of him, a potential star in my eyes. He is aggressive with good instincts. Needs some seasoning but I like to use him in my exotics. Always gives a big effort.

LOWER TIER:

F Harris: Gets very little from a horse. Needs to be much the best to have a chance.

J Mapes: Drives mostly family stock, seems to always try but result is seldom there. Proof is when Shelter got on Fairground Lady this past friday and drew off with a horse Mapes was 2 for 46 with in past two seasons.

K Kash Sr: Long past his prime - gets out of gate poorly and then seldom leaves the rail. Obviously not a good combination. I'll use him on a ticket less than 10 times a year.

J Thompson: A couple of years ago I thought he might be ok but seems to have taken a step back. Rarely puts himself in a good postion, doesn't seem to have a good feel to a race.

C Hershberger: Has a couple of years experience and we should be seeing more by now. Another who doesn't seem to get the best from a horse.

Wyatt Irvine: Not sure why he isn't better. Lots of experience in the midwest but his talents don't seem to translate to Northfield. Occassionaly ok on the front - Lobe's Player seems to be the only horse he wins with.

D Mckirgan: Obviously not the same since coming back from his prolonged illness. Once one of the top trotting drivers; now best he seems to do is make late runs for checks.

TOO YOUNG TO JUDGE:

Tony Rose - Seems to be an aggressive young driver with potential.

Adam Short - Still learning the sport, needs seasoning.

Chris Page - Ditto Short comment above.

[the believer]

blackwaterpcm said:

I've just been wondering what all you handicapping wizards think about the drivers at Northfield park. There have been a few changes recently - Gris gone to NY, Miller coming on, Shetler doing better lately........ Aaron.........?
Who are now the top drivers at NF, and how do they rank?

BW

Blackwater ...you really did get some nice responses to your question on drivers....hope someone gets a copy to the drivers so they can know how we handicap them !

[BlackWater]

admin said:

blackwaterpcm said:

I've just been wondering what all you handicapping wizards think about the drivers at Northfield park. There have been a few changes recently - Gris gone to NY, Miller coming on, Shetler doing better lately........ Aaron.........?
Who are now the top drivers at NF, and how do they rank?

BW[/quote]

Blackwater ...you really did get some nice responses to your question on drivers....hope someone gets a copy to the drivers so they can know how we handicap them ![/quote]
[/color]
Thanks, Believer!
I just wanted to know if my favorite drivers were close to what you, the seasoned experts, pick. This week I'm liking Miller, Shetler, Fisher jr. Next week I might see some different drivers coming on.......... I would love to put Aaron back in my top picks........what has happened to him lately? Seems after the Gris left for NY, he's slacked off. He did a great job with Pine Hill Jewel a while back. The kid has been hot in the past - hope he comes back soon.

BW

[the believer]

Just like to add what the master handicapper has repeated to us . time and time again.

Cliff's words "Bottom line, always handicap the horse first"

[BlackWater]

jimhorseman said:

My Two Cents:

TOP TIER DRIVERS:

B MILLER: Equally effective on top or off the pace, gets the most from a horse. Could be one of the top in the country if he could straighten out his personal life. He's not up north this early in the season without reason.

R FISHER JR: Also drives well on top or off pace; not afraid to leave for position from outside post. Usually get a nice effort when he drives.

E DEATON: A top driver when he is interested. In my opinion does not always give best effort on catch drives - seems to rarely bring in a longshot catch drive into a top three position.

A MERRIMAN: Has he hit a plateau? One of Northfield's rising stars it looked like he would own the racetrack when Grismore left but seems to be slumping lately. Normally gives decent effort and can drive on front or off pace. He always gives his best effort when driving for a Schallaci trained horse.

A SHELTER: Borderline top tier driver. The main positive is that he always gives an effort no matter the situation. If I was an owner and needed a catch drive I would choose Shelter. It might just be my perception but seems that as hard as he tries he has trouble finishing the tight races. If on the lead he just gets caught and if coming off the pace just misses. Don't have facts to back that up just my observations.

MID-PACK DRIVERS:

Todd Jones: Aggressive with front runners, seems to get lost in traffic when coming off pace.

J Wengerd: Slowly showing improvement, possible up and comer.

R Stahl: I don't think quite at top tier, he seems best either on front or coming from way back. Seems to me he is a bit timid at times when mid-pack. Isn't aggressive pulling in front of coming animials when third or fourth on rail often getting locked in. Has a chance to be really good.

T Boring: Solid, unspectacular driver. Wins when he should, doesn't really get anything extra from a horse. I have no trouble using him when he has a top animal.

R Angus: See Boring above - seems like he should be better than he is. He is at his best on family owned stock.

A Short: I really like what I see of him, a potential star in my eyes. He is aggressive with good instincts. Needs some seasoning but I like to use him in my exotics. Always gives a big effort.

LOWER TIER:

F Harris: Gets very little from a horse. Needs to be much the best to have a chance.

J Mapes: Drives mostly family stock, seems to always try but result is seldom there. Proof is when Shelter got on Fairground Lady this past friday and drew off with a horse Mapes was 2 for 46 with in past two seasons.

K Kash Sr: Long past his prime - gets out of gate poorly and then seldom leaves the rail. Obviously not a good combination. I'll use him on a ticket less than 10 times a year.

J Thompson: A couple of years ago I thought he might be ok but seems to have taken a step back. Rarely puts himself in a good postion, doesn't seem to have a good feel to a race.

C Hershberger: Has a couple of years experience and we should be seeing more by now. Another who doesn't seem to get the best from a horse.

Wyatt Irvine: Not sure why he isn't better. Lots of experience in the midwest but his talents don't seem to translate to Northfield. Occassionaly ok on the front - Lobe's Player seems to be the only horse he wins with.

D Mckirgan: Obviously not the same since coming back from his prolonged illness. Once one of the top trotting drivers; now best he seems to do is make late runs for checks.

TOO YOUNG TO JUDGE:

Tony Rose - Seems to be an aggressive young driver with potential.

Adam Short - Still learning the sport, needs seasoning.

Chris Page - Ditto Short comment above.

Now THAT'S what I was looking for! Thanks Jim - my favs will remain the same, but your explanations will hopefully incite at least discussions, if not friendly arguements, on this subject. A winning horse will only win if his driver takes him there.......hay?

BW

[trackrat]

blackwaterpcm said:

..... I would love to put Aaron back in my top picks........what has happened to him lately? Seems after the Gris left for NY, he's slacked off.

I think after Grismore left, Aaron thought he did not have to try that hard anymore, since his main competition was gone. What seems to have happened is that Stahl and Shetler became the true beneficiaries of Grismore being gone, not Aaron.

[jay44224]

These are how I rank the drivers as I would like to see them on My horses as of today, leaving out the drivers who aren't competing at this time.

1) Brett Miller - like his driving style the right mix of patience and aggresiveness

2) Ray Fisher - as good as they come- second profession but does better than most who work it all the time

3) Ryan Stahl - just continues to improve- and the more he gets the quality stock the more from him you will see

4) Aaron Merrimen- when his game is on it's on.

5) Andy shetler - very impressive at times

the one kid that has impressed me will be driving one of mine tonight Kakaley picks up Sharon as she has been off her form coming back from an illness that took a lot out of her and her other drivers wanted something with more of a chance- I am hoping she is getting better qand this young driver can get more out of her time will tell.

[jimhorseman]

Guess Shelter took my comments to heart. He won friday's first race just holding on with Katy's Finale and closed up the passing lane to just win the 12th race with Easy on the Eyes. Have to give him credit, he found a way to win both those tight races.

[BlackWater]

So how are they doing this month?

Stahl is kickin'some serious..........Miller, as always, since he got here..........Merriman has stopped impressing me........... I think JD might be improving.....

What do all you wizards think? Who are the best drivers, and how do they rank?

The horse only wins the race if his driver takes him there, hay?

[the believer]

blackwaterpcm said:

So how are they doing this month?

Stahl is kickin'some serious..........Miller, as always, since he got here..........Merriman has stopped impressing me........... I think JD might be improving.....

What do all you wizards think? Who are the best drivers, and how do they rank?

The horse only wins the race if his driver takes him there, hay?

Blackwater , you have pretty well sized up the top drivers in your post, i think what you need to do is look at the Boring ,Irvine , Jones driven horses in races that Miller and Stahl are false favorites and overbet.....these guys are extra hungry as they only get a live one , a few times a week(and these guys have to eat too).