Borel Uses the Rail to Win La Troienne

Jockey Calvin Borel gave Silverinyourpocket one of his patented rail-skimming rides to upset the $182,850 La Troienne (gr. III) (VIDEO) for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length over Suaveness on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs Saturday.

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. David Randal, Silverinyourpocket covered the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:30.74 over a track that had been upgraded to “fast.”

Time’s Mistress and favored Appealing Zophie broke on top and alternated the lead as they went in early fractions of :22 2/5, :45 1/5, and 1:10 through the first six furlongs. Borel bided his time after breaking last, moving Silverinyourpocket to the rail.  By the time the field of 10 turned for home, the rail was wide open and Borel shot through to overtake Suaveness, who had rallied widest of all under Cornelio Velasquez.

Borel and his mount, trained by Helen Pitts for breeders Mr. and Mrs. R. David Randal, came through on the inside and then drew off for the victory, getting the distance in 1:30 over a fast track that had been labeled good earlier in the day.

“She was in good striking position," Borel said. "The horses in front of her were coming back pretty quick because they went kind of fast the first part and when I asked her to finish from the eighth pole home, she did. She held off the challenger."

The winner paid $11.60, $5.60, and $4.20. Suaveness, who was also far back early in the race, closed on the outside to be second and return $15.40 and $8.40. Upcoming Story, who stalked the early pace into the turn, finished third, paying $4.80.

“I was a little worried at the three-eighths pole and jumping up and down at the eighth pole," Pitts said. "You’ve gotta love that Calvin."

A daughter of Silver Deputy produced from the Run of Luck mare Puff O Luck, Silverinyourpocket won her first two career starts before finishing fifth in the Bourbonette Breeders’ Cup (gr. III) at Turfway Park. The filly then finished fourth in Keeneland’s Beaumont (gr. II) previous to the La Troienne.

The victory was worth $107,698 and increased the career earnings of the Kentucky-bred daughter of Silver Deputy to $171,498 with her third win in five starts.