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Borel will ride in Belmont, but who still unclear
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT,
NEW YORK (AP) Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes if Rachel Alexandra isn't entered.
Chip Woolley, who trains the Derby winner, made that clear Thursday. He said he'll wait until Rachel Alexandra's co-owner Jess Jackson decides whether to run his Preakness-winning filly in the Belmont.
That decision could come any time, but Jackson indicated earlier this week it would be after Rachel Alexandra works out Monday at Churchill Downs.
The Belmont draw for post positions is Wednesday and the 1 1/2-mile race is June 6.
Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, then rode Rachel Alexandra to victory over Mine That Bird in the Preakness. Borel has said he would ride Rachel Alexandra if she runs in the Belmont.
"If we have to, we'll wait right up to or close to entry time," Woolley said during a conference call. "I'm going to give Calvin as much time as possible to ride `Mine' and also to keep him from losing two mounts."
If Woolley picks another rider only to find out Rachel Alexandra wasn't running in the Belmont, Borel might not have a chance to become the first jockey to win a Triple Crown on different horses.
"It just wouldn't be fair to him if they don't make a decision until the last minute and decide not to go," Woolley said. "He won me the Kentucky Derby and I owe him the opportunity if it's possible. I don't want to see him sitting on the sidelines when I get to Belmont."
Asked if he'd like to see Rachel Alexandra in the field to give Mine That Bird a chance to avenge his one-length loss in the Preakness, Woolley said: "I'd like to have Calvin, so I guess if she doesn't go it betters my opportunity to get Calvin.
"I believe it would be good for racing if she runs. It sure brought out a lot of people to watch her last time, and now that she's beaten my horse and I was closing to her it would build it up more. But we'll just have to see what happens."
Updated May 28, 2009
© 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.