The filly is gone and so is the drama. Saturday’s Belmont Stakes is the end of the Triple Crown with no one seeking the sweep.
No one with four legs, that is. The most curious Triple Crown championship ever could be jockey Calvin Borel’s. The first rider to ever win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes on different horses is back aboard Derby champion Mine That Bird after a series of strange events.
Borel won the Derby aboard 50 to 1 long shot Mine That Bird, then opted to ride filly sensation Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Jockeys rarely jump off a Derby winner, but Borel made the right call in taking the Preakness by one-length over runner-up Mine That Bird.
Mine That Bird’s replacement jockey Mike Smith is committed to a race in California on Saturday, so once more the Derby winner was available. Borel regained the mount when Rachel Alexandra’s owners decided the filly was too tired for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. It was the right choice because Mine That Bird would have beaten her over the longer distance.
Borel promised another victory on Monday, saying Mine That Bird would replicate his sire Birdstone’s 2004 Belmont upset when shocking undefeated Smarty Jones. The second-largest long shot to earn the roses is now the 2-1 favorite for the carnations, but New Yorkers know the Belmont often has plenty of lurkers waiting to ambush those tired from the Triple Crown grind.
Charitable Man is my choice to do it. The colt wasn’t ready for the Derby five weeks ago, but he’s peaking now after winning the Peter Pan Stakes on May 9 at Belmont. The son of 1999 Belmont champion Lemon Drop Kid, Charitable Man is the likely second choice at 3-1.
The forgotten horse is Dunkirk, the second choice in the Derby before finishing 11th. Toss that race. This talented gray colt is sitting on a win. Take him in the exacta.
Mine That Bird’s late bid will be too late for third. The “Test of Champions” is really a mile jog and a half-mile sprint, but winners typically were within two lengths of the lead entering the stretch. Borel knows this and could push the gelding earlier than usual. The question is whether this once unknown New Mexico runner can change styles and run early.
Who knows, maybe Borel will wear the crown just yet.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
