Story on Borel

[jpops757]

I wonder why they stuck with Borel? This is not what generaly happens. After a colt shows some ability the conections start looking for some higher profile riders. My hat is off to the connections for standing pat with Borel. He has always been a producer. When Pat Dy left the LAD,Oaklawn and Arksarben circut. Borel ,Ardoin and a few others became premier riders there. After about five years the finally convinced Borel to move his tack to Ky . where he always performed well but always some young rider would come along and get all the praise. There are several similar jockeys out there and I hope this a trend with them getting the oppertunity for the big time. Foremost in my opinion is Jon Court,also a LAD ex.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by jpops757

I . There are several similar jockeys out there and I hope this a trend with them getting the oppertunity for the big time. Foremost in my opinion is Jon Court,also a LAD ex.

Jon Court has been in Southern California, riding at Santa Anita and Hollywood for what? nearly a year now? Been doing quite nicely, thank you - he finished 8th in the recently concluded Santa Anita meeting. All the retirements over the last 2-3 years (Pincay, McCarron, Stevens, Krone, etc.) have opened up the SoCal colony to guys like Court to come in and make a impact.

[AeWingnut]

I've been a fan of Borel and a fan of Jon Court now that you mention him.

Nice story about Borel. One thing they can never take away from him is the fact that Street Sense/ Calvin Borel/ Carl Nafzger/James Tafel will always be be the very first ones to win both the BC Juvenile and the Ky Derby.

I wish them nothing but success.

Thanks

[packerbacker7964]

2nd ones I think some else did it before them.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by packerbacker7964

2nd ones I think some else did it before them.

He was the first to win both the BC Juvenile and Kentucky Derby but not the first named champion 2 yr old to win the Derby.

He was so happy he made me happy.

Why does he look like he has false teeth? Did he take a bad spill and get his teeth knocked out? Something does not look right. Makes him look very old.

[PPerfectfan]

Originally Posted by pgardn

He was so happy he made me happy.

Why does he look like he has false teeth? Did he take a bad spill and get his teeth knocked out? Something does not look right. Makes him look very old.

Calvin has alot of miles on him to say the least. He is 40. And around the bush tracks around here, ummm lets say there has known to have a few "disagreements" over races, and I think that why his teeth are like that. It can get pretty rowdy down here in Cajun Country!

[jpops757]

Very often around this board we here this jockey or that jockey cost the race, including the "ELITE" jockeys. How often do you here that about Borel or Court? Both have won a bunch of races but how often have you heard that there riding style or decisions , lost a winnable race?

[PPerfectfan]

Originally Posted by jpops757

Very often around this board we here this jockey or that jockey cost the race, including the "ELITE" jockeys. How often do you here that about Borel or Court? Both have won a bunch of races but how often have you heard that there riding style or decisions , lost a winnable race?

I think that Calvin and Court are not the top elite jocks that everyone watches their every move, so maybe that is why. We always watch the Johnny V's, Kent D's but now I think that will change after this race for Calvin.

[ELA]

Remember what happened with Afleet Alex -- they didn't stick with him! He got the mount BACK. This really speaks to the connections, who calls the shots, and several other factors. Many people were saying this about Hard Spun and Mario Pino.

Looking at this from a fan's perspective is very different than looking at it from a trainer's perspective. Mario Pino has probably ridden in about 30,000, maybe 40,000 races and he has won 6000 races. It's anyone's guess as to how many horses he's worked also. Anyone who believes Hard Spun's "fast" Derby work was because Mario "choked" or something of the like, is being very naive. Or, they don't get it.

This is not a 20 year old "kid" so to speak who hasn't ridden the crazies and the cripples. We are talking about a very seasoned vet who at age 45 is riding better than ever. He is extremely well respected by his peers, trainers, and others who are in the game -- all over the country -- people who know a good jock better than the fans or media. This guy is a pro and he deserved to have the connections stick by him.

Eric