Calvin Borel Rides Preakness and Derby Winners
Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra Both Ridden by Jubilant Jockey
May 16, 2009
The first two jewels of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing, The Kentucky Derby in Louisville and the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland have both been exciting and history making. Mine That Bird, at odds of 50 to 1 took the Derby. Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years. Both winners were ridden by jockey Calvin Borel.
The Kentucky Derby won by Mine That Bird
The victory of Mine That Bird at the Kentucky Derby, with odds of 50 to 1 was an upset. Jockey Calvin Borel guided the gelding from the back of the field along the inside rail to the front of the pack. Mine That Bird showed he had grit and speed, but forecasters at the Preakness wondered if he was a one-hit wonder. Mine That Bird’s second place win in the Preakness showed that he definitely is the real deal and is not just a one-hit wonder.
Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks and was sold to a new owner for an undisclosed amount. The new owner, Jess Jackson, stated before the Preakness that there would be a pairing with previous Preakness winner, Curlin, in the future with the talented filly. The breeding of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra could produce a super champion race horse.
The Preakness Won by Filly Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra took the lead in the Preakness from the start. Mine That Bird was at the back of the field, the same spot he occupied in the Kentucky Derby until late in the race. Once Rachel Alexandra took the lead she never gave it up. Mine That Bird made his move and sped up around the outside of the field and could very well have passed the filly, but she crossed the finish line first. Mine That Bird came in second. Musket Man as third and Flying Private was fourth.
Calvin Borel
Calvin Borel made an unprecedented move when he decided to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness instead of the Kentucky Derby winner that he had ridden to victory just two weeks earlier. Borel stated that there had been some sort of prior agreement in place, so from his way of thinking, there was no real decision.
Jockey Calvin Borel displayed all the cocky jubilance that he has become famous for as he wave as gestured with animation at the finish line. Calvin Borel will ride Rachel Alexandra again in the third jewel of the Triple Crown, The Belmont Stakes. Since two different horses won in the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness, there cannot be a horse champion of the Triple Crown. Borel could potentially have a personal win of the Triple Crown as a jockey.
Resources:
NBC Sports TV
The Jay Leno Show interview with Calvin Borel
