Is Borel shut out of the Derby?

[lemoncrush]

No offense to Calvin, because he obviously rode superbly and moved Mine that bird and Denis of Cork way, way up on those days.

But with Street Sense, he was not only on the best horse that day (apologies to Curlin), but he got about as lucky as you could possibly get with the way the holes opened up for him when the real running started.

Maybe he'll revert back to his old self at Churchill, but I would rather have several other jocks on my horse than him, judging by the way he's been riding lately.

I think he single-handily cost Elite Alex any chance to win in the Southwest and Louisiana Derby, and I shook my head other times watching him during the Oaklawn meet, as well.

[smuthg]

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

No offense to Calvin, because he obviously rode superbly and moved Mine that bird and Denis of Cork way, way up on those days.

But with Street Sense, he was not only on the best horse that day (apologies to Curlin), but he got about as lucky as you could possibly get with the way the holes opened up for him when the real running started.

Maybe he'll revert back to his old self at Churchill, but I would rather have several other jocks on my horse than him, judging by the way he's been riding lately.

I think he single-handily cost Elite Alex any chance to win in the Southwest and Louisiana Derby, and I shook my head other times watching him during the Oaklawn meet, as well.

I agree he looked a bit off at Oaklawn and he got a bit lucky with Super Saver also, but to think that he's not going to get a mount for this year's Derby seems crazy to me. If he doesn't have a mount by Derby week, some jockey is going to be really disappointed when he gets taken off in favor of Calvin...

[Kasept]

I'm as big a critic of Borel as there is, but in fairness to him, recall that he is still working his way back from very severe injuries in that Jackpot incident. It takes jocks a minimum of 6 months to get back into shape and groove after a lay-up like he had.

On a couple of other fronts brought up here, he of course has no business being placed on the HOF ballot considering a guy like Rich Migliore hasn't been on it and has maybe 4 times the graded stake wins that Borel has. And I'm curious why not one person writing about the HOF topic has brought up the well-known reputation Borel has as a machine rider? Or is that going to be conveniently avoided since he's won 3 Derbys?

Regarding the Street Sense Derby and any Derby for that matter, the inside can be an ideal place to be as horses 'get out' and off the rail as they tire. It wasn't magical that the path seemed to clear for Street Sense as he rallied. It's predictable. And I wouldn't pay respects to Curlin in acknowledging Street Sense that day. I'd pay them to Hard Spun who ran an unbelievable race.

[Unstable]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I'm as big a critic of Borel as there is, but in fairness to him, recall that he is still working his way back from very severe injuries in that Jackpot incident. It takes jocks a minimum of 6 months to get back into shape and groove after a lay-up like he had.

On a couple of other fronts brought up here, he of course has no business being placed on the HOF ballot considering a guy like Rich Migliore hasn't been on it and has maybe 4 times the graded stake wins that Borel has. And I'm curious why not one person writing about the HOF topic has brought up the well-known reputation Borel has as a machine rider? Or is that going to be conveniently avoided since he's won 3 Derbys?

Regarding the Street Sense Derby and any Derby for that matter, the inside can be an ideal place to be as horses 'get out' and off the rail as they tire. It wasn't magical that the path seemed to clear for Street Sense as he rallied. It's predictable. And I wouldn't pay respects to Curlin in acknowledging Street Sense that day. I'd pay them to Hard Spun who ran an unbeliuevable race.

I'm not sure I understand what this means... I can make a guess, but I'd rather know for sure.

I'm still holding a grudge for how Calvin rode Sumwon at Saratoga....

[santana]

A machine is also called a battery....to shock the horse into going faster at some point in the race.
I have been watching Borel since about 1981, Delta and Evangeline Downs, and i never heard anything about him employing those tactics. I know MANY people who are friends of his, and more than likely i would have heard soemthing to that effect over the years.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I'm as big a critic of Borel as there is, but in fairness to him, recall that he is still working his way back from very severe injuries in that Jackpot incident. It takes jocks a minimum of 6 months to get back into shape and groove after a lay-up like he had.

On a couple of other fronts brought up here, he of course has no business being placed on the HOF ballot considering a guy like Rich Migliore hasn't been on it and has maybe 4 times the graded stake wins that Borel has. And I'm curious why not one person writing about the HOF topic has brought up the well-known reputation Borel has as a machine rider? Or is that going to be conveniently avoided since he's won 3 Derbys?

Regarding the Street Sense Derby and any Derby for that matter, the inside can be an ideal place to be as horses 'get out' and off the rail as they tire. It wasn't magical that the path seemed to clear for Street Sense as he rallied. It's predictable. And I wouldn't pay respects to Curlin in acknowledging Street Sense that day. I'd pay them to Hard Spun who ran an unbelievable race.

Exactly. And I only bet Hard Spun to win like an idiot.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I'm as big a critic of Borel as there is, but in fairness to him, recall that he is still working his way back from very severe injuries in that Jackpot incident. It takes jocks a minimum of 6 months to get back into shape and groove after a lay-up like he had.

On a couple of other fronts brought up here, he of course has no business being placed on the HOF ballot considering a guy like Rich Migliore hasn't been on it and has maybe 4 times the graded stake wins that Borel has. And I'm curious why not one person writing about the HOF topic has brought up the well-known reputation Borel has as a machine rider? Or is that going to be conveniently avoided since he's won 3 Derbys?

Regarding the Street Sense Derby and any Derby for that matter, the inside can be an ideal place to be as horses 'get out' and off the rail as they tire. It wasn't magical that the path seemed to clear for Street Sense as he rallied. It's predictable. And I wouldn't pay respects to Curlin in acknowledging Street Sense that day. I'd pay them to Hard Spun who ran an unbelievable race.

I love Mig (who doesn't?) because he's a superb human being and a great jockey, but I think you're off here on your estimations. By my count Rich has 96 graded stakes wins including 1 BC win, and 4,450 wins overall. Calvin has 64 graded stakes including 1 BC win, 3 Derbies, 1 Preakness, and about 5,000 wins overall. Both resumes are pretty stellar.