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Chip Wooley Seeks Borel for Belmont - 05-30-09
May 30 - With the 2009 Belmont Stakes just a week away, most trainers with horses in the big race at Belmont Park in NY have already booked their jockeys, but one that hasn't is Chip Woolley, as he is holding out for Calvin Borel, the jockey who won the Kentucky Derby aboard his charge Mine That Bird.
When Woolley drove Mine That Bird up from New Mexico at the beginning of this month for the 2009 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, few punters had ever heard of the three-year-old gelding, never mind rated his chances. So when he delivered a crushing 50-1 defeat with Calvin Borel aboard, everyone took notice.
However, when Borel, who shortly before the Derby won the Kentucky Oaks aboard top filly Rachel Alexandra, took the unprecedented step of forsaking the Derby winner for the filly in the recent Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, he raised more than a few eyebrows. That said, he did win the Preakness in fine style.
Now, ahead of the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, Woolley has made it abundantly clear that he wants Borel to ride Mine That Bird in the 1 1/2 mile race over dirt for three-year-olds. The problem is that the connections of Rachel Alexandra have still not decided whether to enter her or not.
This means that Borel is effectively hanging in the air, because after winning six straight races on the seemingly unstoppable filly, including the Preakness, he knows he would be foolish not to take a crack at the Belmont. However, with the filly's entry still up in the air, he cannot commit to ride Mine That Bird for Woolley.
But the race is drawing closer, and Woolley has until Wednesday next week to confirm his jockey choice. 'I'm going to give Calvin as much time as possible to ride Mine That Bird, and keep him from losing two mounts,' said Woolley yesterday. 'Today he looked as good as he has since he's been here (Churchill Downs).'
The final field of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (Gr 1) is expected to include Brave Victory (trainer Nick Zito), Charitable Man (Kiaran McLaughlin), Chocolate Candy (Jerry Hollendorfer), Dunkirk (Todd Pletcher), Luv Gov (D. Wayne Lukas), Mine That Bird (Bennie Woolley Jr), Miner's Escape (Nick Zito), Mr. Hot Stuff (Eoin Harty), Summer Bird (Tim Ice) and possibly Flying Private (D. Wayne Lukas) and Rachel Alexandra (Steve Asmussen).
Other Articles:
Sariska Betfair Favorite in Epsom Oaks - 06-03-09Vincent O'Brien Dies Aged 92 - 06-02-09Rachel Alexander Will Not Run in Belmont Stakes - 06-01-09Irish Runners Rated For 2009 Epsom Derby - 05-31-09Gaultier Can Win Golden Horse Casino Sprint - 05-29-09Cummings Could Win Queensland Oaks - 05-28-09Mr. Hot Stuff Unlikely Tip For Belmont Stakes - 05-27-09IHFA Announces World Thoroughbred Rankings - 05-27-09
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Digiturf - Train and race your own horses |
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:17 AM |
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