Sometimes professional athletes step up to the spotlight when their sport has its biggest event. Whether it’s Reggie Jackson (Mr. October) in the World Series or Joe Montana in his four Super Bowl appearances, some people are “locked in” when the stage is front and center. We can add to this list; Calvin Borel, because with his victory in last week’s Kentucky Derby , he has now achieved such status.
The 43 year old native of Louisiana has accomplished a feat few jockeys ever have, but dream in doing. Three Kentucky Derby victories in four years and the one year he didn’t win, was third. Little more than just a journeyman jockey that started at Delta Downs over 25 years ago, he has become one of the best and hottest jockeys in the country. Winning numerous minor graded stakes since that time, he first gained national attention with a victory in the 2006 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on a 91-1 longshot – Seek Gold. Later on the year, he got his first Breeder’s Cup victory aboard Street Sense in the Juvenile Colts race. This was the beginning of an amazing roll in his career.
He would guide that colt home the following first Saturday in May and make Street Sense the first Breeder’s Cup Juvenile / Kentucky Derby duel winner in its history. It was his “rail skimming” ride that highlighted the victory and soon he would receive the moniker; Calvin “Bo-rail”. He would relocate his tack to Churchill Downs that year and also join the elite company of winning six races on one Churchill Downs card. Also in Kentucky , he became only the 34th jockey in history to record 4,500 victories. The best was yet ahead of him the next year and a half.
Back at Churchill for the 2009 Kentucky Derby , he was aboard the “rank” outsider of the race; Mine That Bird. On an “off track” he saved ground from the rail again and rallied in the slop to a record setting derby victory, not only at huge odds but also by a large margin. Only the day before did also won a major stake race Rachel Alexandra by a record 20 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks. After these two amazing victories, he had to choose between his Oaks heroine and his Derby upset winner. For the Preakness Stakes, he chose Rachel Alexandra and the result was a win in the Preakness Stakes versus the boys and another Triple Crown race victory. It would be an incredible year for Calvin Borel in 2009 and another page in his career would set stage this past Saturday evening.
On a winning roll at Churchill Downs since it opened for this year’s racing meet, Calvin would be aboard the Todd Pletcher trainee; Super Saver. Todd had lost his main horse just a week before because of an injury (Eskendereya) and this colt Calvin was aboard had shown talent over the Churchill Downs strip last Fall on an “off” track. Well, we got a sloppy track last Saturday and for much of the wagering; Super Saver was the betting favorite. Not knowing if Super Saver could rate off the pace or go to the front like most of his races was the question going into this race. That question was answered when once again; Calvin Borel gave one of his patented rail skimming rides and in doing so had captured his third Kentucky Derby victory. Someone who wasn’t a “household” name less than five year’s ago, had become an instant celebrity.
Now with all these credits to Calvin Borel’s career, there’s talk of him becoming a future Hall of Famer in the sport. But before that, there’s a little more to do a week from today and that’s getting his fourth Triple Crown race victory in the last two years. The man has become a legend in a very short time and is regarded by some as the “new” King of Churchill Downs and “Mr. May”. With that smile and enthusiasm on the track, it’s hard not to like Calvin “Bo-rail” Borel.
No comments:
Post a Comment