Belmont Update…

Horse racing is facing battles from every front. Famed track Churchill Downs canceled yesterday’s card due to “lack of horses”. Lack of Horses? Churchill Downs? How can this be?

It seems that competing tracks can offer horsemen bigger purses because there are slot machines at the tracks. When the slots supplement the purses, it attracts horses. So, the controversy continues… Will Churchill Downs get permission to add slot machines?

Ah, but there is a happy note (?) in the future.

Jockey Calvin Borel has an opportunity to make more historical entries into the record book. The most interesting to me is this: He can be the first Jockey in history to sweep the Triple Crown events - on Different Horses!

He’ll be riding in the Belmont, but we’re not sure yet which of his famous mounts he’ll be on. It could be “Mine That Bird”, his Kentucky Derby “miracle” winner; or it could be “Rachel Alexandra”, his brilliant filly and winner of the Preakness Stakes last week.

The former is confirmed for the race and awaiting Borel’s decision (Mike Smith who rode “Mine That Bird” to a second place finish in the Preakness, is not available for the Belmont), and the latter is questionable for the Belmont as her connections are not as keen on entering her in the race - yet!

“Chip”  Woolley, the trainer of “Mine That Bird” has give Borel until Monday to decide. After that, he’ll name another rider.

… Stay Tuned…