Kentucky glory for Super Saver
Source: Agencies |
May 3, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HOMETOWN hero Calvin Borel became the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times in a four-year span by guiding Super Saver to an easy victory over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday.
Borel steered the Kentucky-bred bay along the rail in a ground-saving ride that gave America's leading trainer, Todd Pletcher, his first Derby after his 24 previous charges failed to deliver.
"Obviously Calvin was in a beautiful spot the whole way," said Pletcher. "We didn't want to handcuff him with too many instructions. We knew he would like the safe ground and the only thing I told him was, 'ride him like you own him'."
A late kick by Ice Box enabled the Florida Derby winner to finish second, 2-1/2 lengths behind Super Saver, while Paddy O'Prado took the show spot in the field of 20.
Churchill Downs-based Borel, nicknamed "Bo-Rail" for his penchant for hugging the inside, employed the tactic to perfection in winning the US$2.2 million race for three-year-olds.
The 43-year-old seized the lead in the stretch using a right-handed whip and crossed the finish line without a serious challenge from Ice Box, ridden by Jose Lezcano.
The soft-spoken Borel flashed a broad smile as his colt jogged to a halt and held up three fingers, one for each of his Derby triumphs. The crowd roared their approval.
"This is what I wanted to do all my life," said Borel, who won with 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird last year in the slop and was in the saddle for Street Sense's victory in 2007.
"It's every jockey's dream to win the Derby and I never dreamed I would win three Derbies. But I've worked hard and I'm dedicated to this job and I love the game."
Super Saver covered the 1 1/4 miles over the dirt in 2:04.45 as the second-favorite behind Bob Baffert's Lookin At Lucky, who got bumped at the start and finished sixth.
Borel steered the Kentucky-bred bay along the rail in a ground-saving ride that gave America's leading trainer, Todd Pletcher, his first Derby after his 24 previous charges failed to deliver.
"Obviously Calvin was in a beautiful spot the whole way," said Pletcher. "We didn't want to handcuff him with too many instructions. We knew he would like the safe ground and the only thing I told him was, 'ride him like you own him'."
A late kick by Ice Box enabled the Florida Derby winner to finish second, 2-1/2 lengths behind Super Saver, while Paddy O'Prado took the show spot in the field of 20.
Churchill Downs-based Borel, nicknamed "Bo-Rail" for his penchant for hugging the inside, employed the tactic to perfection in winning the US$2.2 million race for three-year-olds.
The 43-year-old seized the lead in the stretch using a right-handed whip and crossed the finish line without a serious challenge from Ice Box, ridden by Jose Lezcano.
The soft-spoken Borel flashed a broad smile as his colt jogged to a halt and held up three fingers, one for each of his Derby triumphs. The crowd roared their approval.
"This is what I wanted to do all my life," said Borel, who won with 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird last year in the slop and was in the saddle for Street Sense's victory in 2007.
"It's every jockey's dream to win the Derby and I never dreamed I would win three Derbies. But I've worked hard and I'm dedicated to this job and I love the game."
Super Saver covered the 1 1/4 miles over the dirt in 2:04.45 as the second-favorite behind Bob Baffert's Lookin At Lucky, who got bumped at the start and finished sixth.
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