Still Waiting

Summer Bird takes the Belmont-AP Photo

No horse has done it since 1978. And in the end, neither could jockey, Calvin Borel.
Instead, Summer Bird sailed across the finish line in first place at the 2009 Belmont Stakes. Borel, aboard Mine That Bird, came in third, proving that the Triple Crown remains one of the most elusive accomplishments in the world of sports for both beast and man.

All that's left for those of us who'd love to see another Triple Crown winner is to sigh and repeat the familiar phrase that disappointed fans everywhere have cried out since the beginning of time.

Just wait until next year!

Yes She Can

Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra battle to the finish line. Photo by Bill Frohes/SI

Wonder-filly Rachel Alexandra beat the boys by taking the Preakness on Saturday. Although her victory spoiled the hope of a new Triple Crown winner, the horse thrilled the crowd as the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years.

Near the finish line, Mine That Bird, the Derby winner, made a bid to take the lead and had the race been longer, may have succeeded. But the day truly belonged to the big bay, Rachel Alexandra. Interestingly, Calvin Borel, the jockey who rode Mine That Bird in the Derby "jumped horse" (so to speak) at the opportunity to pilot the filly, assessing her to be the best horse on the track.

It is unclear yet whether Rachel Alexandra will run the Belmont, the third race in the famed Triple Crown. But the real question is...will Calvin Borel ride it?

He's the only one that could become a Triple Crown winner...as a jockey.

A New Finish Line

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation helps ex-racing horses.


Yesterday I wrote about an unlikely Kentucky Derby winner. The story reminded me of one of the not-so-pretty sides of horse racing that involves the disposal at auction of horses who are no longer profitable due to age, injuries, and/or who are not considered to be viable candidates for breeding.

The typical fate of the animals auctioned is either the rendering plant or slaughter for use as food. But thankfully there are a number of non-profit organizations that have evolved through the years to care for and re-home the animals.

About a week ago I read an article on Lanny Brooks, who, along with his wife, works to place retired racers into new homes. He wants to take the process a step further.
Brooks would like to start a program in Illinois where rescued racing horses go to prison. But not for incarceration.

He's proposing an innovative program where inmates would learn to groom and train the animals. It would not only help horses, but also would provide new job skills to prisoners, making them more employable upon release.

Similar programs have been successful in 8 other states.

So far, things look promising. The Illinois Department of Corrections is interested because the program appears to have minimal budgetary impact. All costs would be funded by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Illinois Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association. The measure authorizing the program has been introduced in the Illinois House. I haven't heard of any major opposition.

I love the idea. It's the perfect way to help both horses and people who need a leg up.

The Dark Horse

If you watched the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, you may have been stunned. It's not often that a 50-1 long shot wins. Mind That Bird, ridden by previous Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel, blew away the field going from dead last to first place. And it wasn't even close. The two year old colt won by 6 and 3/4 lengths.

He'd have left everyone behind him in the dust if the track hadn't been a field of mud.

So how did a yearling that cost a paltry $9,500 (most top thoroughbreds are in the $100,000+ range) triumph? Was he in the right place at the right time? Did he have the best trainer? Best jockey? Who knows?

I guess that's what makes a horse race.

But the real question is this: Will Mine That Bird be able to come back in 2 weeks at the Preakness to prove his win wasn't a fluke?

I'll be rooting for him. We haven't had a Triple Crown winner in a long time.

And everyone loves a Cinderella story.