Just one win from career victory 5,000, a healing wrist will keep jockey Calvin Borel from nailing down that victory this week.
Borel was told by his doctor Jan. 29 that he needs at least one more week to heal his broken wrist. He will not be riding this week at Oaklawn Park, according to his longtime agent Jerry Hissam. Three-time Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Borel was heading into Oaklawn's opening weekend just one victory shy of his 5,000th career win, a milestone reached by only 24 other riders, when he injured his wrist in a starting gate mishap during morning training Jan. 8.
Borel will return to his doctor early next week in hopes of riding the Feb. 7-10 race week. Oaklawn and the city of Hot Springs plan to distribute commemorative trading cards the moment Borel reaches 5,000 wins. The cards will be free to anyone at Oaklawn on the day he wins his 5,000th race.