Stan Bergstein of DRF doesn't like Calvin Borel

[NTamm1215]

This is a DRF Plus article but I'm posting it anyway. If I get in trouble with DRF I'll become a Brisnet guy.

Cheering this Derby win too much of a stretch
By Stan Bergstein

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=112681

TUCSON, Ariz. - Hi, it's the old tree-hugger checking in.

I dislike interrupting parades or anointments or deifications, and I am particularly averse to disturbing the canonization of saints. So as hesitant as I am about stepping in where angels fear to tread, I regretfully cannot join the millions celebrating the elevation of Calvin Borel to sanctity, and must cast a lone vote of disapproval of his use of the whip with Super Saver.

I was not one of the announced crowd of 155,804 enraptured by the wild cavorting of Borel as he raised his arms and thumped his chest and slapped hands with every groom and outrider in sight, in ecstasy over his third Derby win in four years.

I understand all of that overwhelming happiness, but I was not one of the millions who joined in the joyful celebration of his rail-riding skills. The punishment he administered to his mount in the last eighth of a mile dulled my enjoyment of all that. I had cleaned the screen on my home TV to make sure I had a clear picture, and I counted eight hard blows in the final eighth and at least 14 from the head of the stretch to the wire. I may have missed a few before Borel and Super Saver cleared the pack, but he worked the colt over pretty good.