Calvin Borel made the right choice and history was made May 16 at Pimlico, when for the first time the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner not only ran in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) but won the race in convincing fashion. Rachel Alexandra finished first and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner Mine That Bird was second.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
With slightly more than two hours until post for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the filly Rachel Alexandra is the 2-1 favorite. Four other horses are single-digit odds.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Trainer Chip Woolley, who had said Mine That Bird would not have a workout prior to the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), called an audible and breezed the son of Birdstone at Churchill Downs on the morning of May 11.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Stonestreet Stables and partner Harold T. McCormick announced May 8 that Calvin Borel has agreed to ride Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra for the current racing season.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Join Calvin Borel as he talks about his Derby winning ride aboard Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra's Kentucky Oaks, and more. Transcript also available.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Calvin Borel would have made a great captain of the starship Enterprise, because time and again he boldly goes where no man has gone before. What he is able to do at Churchill Downs is mind-boggling.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Well, we saw one bird fly over the rainbow. The vast majority of experts and racing fans were astounded, aghast, and amazed at Mine That Bird's otherworldly performance in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), in which he took off on a demonic dash as if he were being chased by a swarm of angry hornets.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Jockey Calvin Borel scored a huge upset May 2 in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on Mine That Bird. On May 1 he won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by 20 lengths on Rachel Alexandra.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Miss Isella defeated race favorite One Caroline in the Louisville Distaff (gr. II) at Churchill Downs May 1.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Jockey Joe Talamo has pledged $25,000 to Children's Hospital in New Orleans if he wins his first Kentucky Derby (gr. I) May 2.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Trainer Hal Wiggins was looking for an easy work April 16 at Churchill Downs for L & M Racing's Rachel Alexandra, the likely favorite for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs May 1.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
She keeps winning so easily, it's difficult to gauge just how good Rachel Alexandra is. Her four rivals in the $245,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park didn't provide any answers April 5.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
A sloppy track failed to slow Rachel Alexandra, who outclassed five rivals in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 14.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Two of John Oxley's top 3-year-old prospects worked out at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3 for trainer John Ward, including Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) winner Beethoven.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Beethoven scored in the Kentucky Jockey Club Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Team USA beat Team World by the slimmest of margins, 10 points to 9 1/2, in the Nov. 15 inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, November 15, 2008Veteran jockey Calvin Borel, making his first-ever appearance in a race at Golden Gate Fields, drove Delightful Kiss past favored Awesome Gem for a one-length victory in the $211,800 All American Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) Sept. 27.
Saturday, September 27, 2008Hobeau Farm's Florida homebred Delightful Kiss, who hadn't won in more than 13 months and was well-beaten in all four starts this season, stretched out to 12 furlongs for the first time and enjoyed every moment of it, roaring through the stretch to win the $100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes (gr. III) by 1 1/4 lengths Sept. 6 on the Polytrack.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Jockey Calvin Borel took off his 10 mounts at Churchill Downs on June 14, citing pain in his knee as the cause.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
There should have been a celebration at trainer David Carroll's barn at Churchill Downs Monday morning, but instead it was more like a funeral.
Monday, April 28, 2008The team that won the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with Street Sense will reunite at Churchill Downs, the scene of their stirring victory, for a special book signing April 27
Friday, April 25, 2008
In an unprecedented series of events, the $35,000 purse designated for the ninth race at Oaklawn Park March 13, will be paid out evenly to all 11 runners in the race, even though the race was officially declared a no-contest.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The ninth race at Oaklawn Park March 13 was declared a non-event when track workers were unable to move the malfunctioning starting gate out of the way in time for the stretch run of the 1 1/16-mile allowance heat.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Odds-on choice Jonesboro finally shook loose of a stubborn Gouldings Green in the final furlong to post a front-running victory in the $149,000 Razorback Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park March 8.
Saturday, March 08, 2008There was no separating Canadian invader Turf War and favored Z Humor at the finish of $1 million Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot (gr. III) following a desperate three-horse charge to the wire at foggy Delta Downs on the night of Dec. 7.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Tom Crouch does not mind shipping his homebred filly Kettleoneup all over the nation. The 4-year-old has been to seven different racetracks this year alone.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Trying to catch Calvin Borel for an interview during his last day of racing at Saratoga was like attempting to pin down a darting dragonfly, and the Cajun jockey looked the part in Bill Farish's brilliant green and yellow silks as he scurried back to the private courtyard behind the jockeys' room before the fourth race of the day.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007The Travers blanket - red and white carnations, white "T" in the middle - hangs in front of Street Sense's stall at the barn of Carl Nafzger and Ian Wilkes. The bright colors are still vibrant, and Nafzger is still savoring the victory this morning
Monday, August 27, 2007A collection of noteworthy quotes from last week's backside meanderings...
Sunday, August 19, 2007Jockey Calvin Borel, noted veterinary surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, and award-winning racing journalist Dick Jerardi will be honored Oct. 24 with awards presented by the National Turf Writers Association.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Street Sense, winner of the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the July 29 Jim Dandy (gr. II), was back on the main track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 15 at 7:30 a.m. for another workout.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007An Aug. 9 meeting among members of the racing industry and jockeys at Saratoga Race Course was a deemed a success by Bruce Johnstone, the New York Racing Association's manager of racing relations, as discussions took place over the recent issues before the starts of several races at the New York oval.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Street Sense, winner of the July 29 Jim Dandy (gr. I) and the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked a half-mile in :49 flat at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 8.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007In honor of (and caused by) an 8:00 a.m. deadline, Hall of Fame inductions, an upcoming afternoon of racing coverage, and an evening of sales assignments, we defer to a smattering of quotes and scenes witnessed by your faithful correspondent, who peruses the backside of Saratoga (almost) every morning.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Street Sense made his return to racing a successful one Sunday with a facile victory at short odds in the $500,000 Jim Dandy (gr. II) at Saratoga.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Street Sense, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Barnds (gr. I), worked four fulongs in :51.59 July 26 at Saratoga Race Course.
Thursday, July 26, 2007Jockey Calvin Borel, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and veteran trainer Rick Violette will be panel members for the Saratoga Preview program July 23 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Calvin Borel, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Bands (gr. I) aboard Street Sense, won the Inaugural "Cajun Jockey Challenge" at Evangeline Downs on Friday night.
Saturday, July 14, 2007Jockey Calvin Borel was the recipient of this year's ESPY award for top jockey and received the award during a presentation ceremony at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre July 11, said the jockey's agent, Jerry Hissam.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Calvin Borel and Robby Albarado, the winning jockeys in this year's first two legs of the Triple Crown, are set to renew their rivalry in the inaugural Cajun Jockey Challenge at Evangeline Downs Racetrack July 13.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Starspangled Gator set a controlled pace and drew off late to give Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winning jockey Calvin Borel his sixth victory on the program Thursday in Churchill Downs' $56,010 featured race.
Thursday, July 05, 2007Calvin Borel, regular rider of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Street Sense, and Robby Albarado, rider of Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Curlin, head up this year's list of nominees for ESPN's ESPY Awards in the top jockey category.
Monday, June 25, 2007James Tafel's homebred Street Sense, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), took a first step toward his summer and fall campaign with a solid four-furlong work on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Sunday, June 24, 2007Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Carl Nafzger are among the celebrity bartenders who will take part in a fundraising event supporting the Backside Learning Center and the Race for Education to be held at the Kentucky Derby Museum next to Churchill Downs following the running of the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) Saturday.
Friday, June 15, 2007Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will hold its first "Cajun Jockey Challenge" the evening of July 13. A brunch to assist the Race Track Chaplaincy of America will be held earlier that day.
Friday, June 15, 2007Jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Carl Nafzger, who teamed to win the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with champion Street Sense, will participate in a charity autograph session benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Thursday, June 14, 2007Immediately following the June 16 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville will host a happy hour with local "celebrity" bartenders. The event will support the Backside Learning Center and the Race for Education. Presented by the Equine Wellness Foundation to benefit horsemen's education, special guests will serve their favorite drinks.
Thursday, June 07, 2007Favored Lady Joanne overcame a sluggish start to collar High Again near the sixteenth pole en route to a one-length victory in the $167,550 Dogwood Breeders' Cup (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs Saturday.
Saturday, June 02, 2007The streets of New York will be a little less crowded next weekend because Street Sense will not be running in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) but instead will be pointed toward the Travers (gr. I) at Saratoga and a fall campaign. The announcement was made by trainer Carl Nafzger at a press conference Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 31, 2007Street Sense, winner of the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked a half-mile May 30 at Churchill Downs as his owner, Jim Tafel, and trainer, Carl Nafzger, consider a possible start in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), the final jewel of racing's Triple Crown.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007