News Story - Borel to try for Triple Crown on different mounts

Borel to try for Triple Crown on different mounts

By RICHARD ROSENBLATT,

NEW YORK (AP) In the U.S. Triple Crown's final installment, Calvin Borel will get back on Mine That Bird with a chance to become the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes on different horses.

Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird at 50-1 odds, then jilted him for Rachel Alexandra and beat the Derby winner in the Preakness by a length. Since Borel has ridden the filly to six straight wins, he said he'd be loyal if she ran in next week's Belmont. But Rachel Alexandra was rested by her owners on Friday, leaving Borel free for Mine That Bird and ready to compete in his first Belmont with history riding on the outcome.

Mine That Bird, meanwhile, will attempt to become the 12th horse to complete the Derby-Belmont double next Saturday and the first since Thunder Gulch in 1995.

"Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes," Borel said.

Co-owner Jess Jackson said it was a tough call, but he pointed out that Rachel Alexandra has had a tough schedule - five races and five wins since Feb. 15 - and added "we will always put her long-term well being first. And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh."

Even though a 31st consecutive year will pass without a Triple Crown champion, this season has captured the American public's attention; TV ratings were up as Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, and that came two weeks after fans were still buzzing over Mine That Bird's incredible 6}-length win in the Derby.

"It may not be a Triple Crown year, but it's as far as you can get without having one," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "It just all adds up to a lot of great stories going into the Belmont."

Pletcher, who will send out Dunkirk to take on Mine That Bird, knows all about running a filly in the Belmont. He won it two years ago with Rags to Riches, who became the first filly in 102 years to win it.

The field for the 1 1/2-mile (2,400-meter) Belmont, the longest and most grueling of the three races, is just about set with as many as 10 3-year-olds challenging the Derby winner, including Peter Pan Stakes winner Charitable Man and several horses who ran in the Derby or the Preakness.

Mine That Bird is a son of 2004 Belmont winner Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid with a dramatic come-from-behind, one-length upset. Also expected to run is Summer Bird, another son of Birdstone, who ran sixth in the Derby in only the fourth start of his career.

"He's blossoming at the right time," Summer Bird's trainer Tim Ice said. "What I really liked about the Derby was the way he galloped out. I think the (Belmont) distance will suit him."

There's also the Nick Zito connection. The two-time Belmont winner, who trained Birdstone for owner Marylou Whitney, is pointing three horses to the race - Brave Victory, Miner's Escape and Nowhere to Hide.

All will be long shots, but Zito isn't worried. Birdstone won at 36-1, Da' Tara won for him last year at 38-1.

"We've done well in the Belmont, been consistent, so why not?" Zito said. "I don't have Secretariat with these, but I don't have to. You never know. Mine That Bird is definitely the horse to beat, no one can say he's not. Anyway, there will be a lot of birds."

Whitney isn't going to be left out, either. The 83-year-old Saratoga socialite has Luv Gov headed to the Belmont. Luv Gov was eighth in the Preakness for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Also expected are Chocolate Candy, Flying Private and Mr. Hot Stuff.

The post position draw is on Wednesday.

Updated May 30, 2009