Farewell Chop-Chop

Jorge Chavez will join Aaron Gryder and Norberto Arroyo as former NY/NJ circuit riders who now toil on the Southern California circuit, according to the Blood-Horse. Chavez's decline has been tough to watch. He was an early favorite just as I started getting into racing. He's toiled some through injuries which have left him visibly weaker on horses. I hope he can turn in around in California.

"He's going to retire here," said Chuck Marikian, [Chavez's agent and] a former trainer. "The response (from horsemen) has been overwhelming. He always wanted to come out here, and when the opportunity presented itself, he jumped on the chance."

Blood-Horse: Chavez Moving Tack to Southern California