Preakness Stakes 2009

It doesn't seem right that Borel would even consider mounting another horse, following his team's surprise Derby win.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/sports/othersports/11racing.html?_r=1&ref=sports

Year to year, the Triple Crown races are always exciting to ponder.

 

His chance to win would appear to be much better going with Rachel Alexandra, but that's why they run the race. If the filly is entered, I think she's the betting favorite.

 

Nope. And to be fair to Borel, he's been on Rachel since last fall. He only got the Mine That Bird mount at the last minute.
Besides, who are you going to ride for in the future? Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen or a couple of cowboys from New Mexico that likely won't be in the Derby again.

 

I think it's quite rare that a jockey might win two Triple Crown races in the same year on different horses. A little research shows that back in 1898, Willie Simms won the Derby with Plaudit and the Preakness with Sly Fox.

 

According to Daily Racing Form's research, no jockey has ever won the Derby, then ridden a different horse for the Preakness even though his Derby horse was still in the race.

Still, it seems like the right call for Calvin. But it would be a blast to see Mine That Bird pull off another miracle.

 

1 Big Drama (J. Velazquez) 10-1
2 Mine That Bird (M. Smith) 9-2
3 Musket Man (E. Coa) 10-1
4 Luv Gov (J. Theriot) 50-1
5 Friesan Fire (G. Saez) 10-1
6 Terrain (J. Rose) 30-1
7 Papa Clem (R. Bejarano) 8-1
8 General Quarters (J. Leparoux) 20-1
9 Pioneerof the Nile (G. Gomez) 5-1
10 Flying Private (A. Garcia) 50-1
11 Take the Points (E. Prado) 30-1
12 Tone It Down (K. Desormeaux) 50-1
13 f-Rachel Alexandra (Borel) 8-5

On paper, the filly looks to be the best horse by a relatively wide margin.

Good luck to one and all.

 

I'm more pumped for this one than the Derby. I have a feeling the filly is gonna whip the fellas.

 

Concerning your second question, yes (see my earlier post: Willie Simms, won the 1898 Derby and Preakness on two different horses).