Horses and Jockeys Headed To Track; Borel Ready To Go?

The horses and their jockeys are all walking to the track now. It is of the utmost importance that the jockeys are able to keep their horses calm and rested prior to the race. As the procession makes its way to the track, some of the horses are visibly irritated. The Belmont is one and a half miles long, and the horses are going to need every ounce of their energy for the long race. The jockeys and trainers have their work cut out right now, trying their best to make their horses save their energy.

On another note, Calvin Borel has said that he has done little work in the past week. Some commentators take this as a bad omen for Mine That Bird's chances to win. Mine That Bird does look a little wound up, as he walks to the track.

Less than half an hour to race time!

Mine That Bird and Calvin Borel

Calvin Borel was the jockey who rode Mine That Bird to its victory in the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird entered the Kentucky Derby as an underdog, with 50-1 odds. With Borel on the back of Bird, the two beat the closest competition by a stunning 6 3/4 lengths.

On May 16th, Borel would ride a different horse, a filly named Rachel Alexandra whom he rode regularly prior to Mine That Bird's win at the Kentucky Derby, at the Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland. Rachel Alexandra was nearly unchallenged throughout most of the race. Mine That Bird, would make up ground, closing Rachel Alexandra's largest lead of 4 lengths to 1 length at the finish line.

Unfortunately, Rachel Alexandra was pulled from the Belmont Stakes by owner Jess Jackson due to fatigue and not being in top shape. So, with his regular horse out of the race, Borel is again on the back of Mine That Bird for today's Belmont Stakes. Borel is attempting to win his own personal Triple Crown, and has a good chance to achieve this riding Mine That Bird, which is the favorite with 2-1 odds.