Twice the Appeal to be ridden by 3-time Kentucky Derby winner, Calvin Borel, in the 2011 Kentucky Derby
The rider to render his services in three Kentucky Derby events will be making his way to the 137th Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Derby races are contested by the most finest of thoroughbreds and this year it has Twice the Appeal amongst the contestants, who will be ridden by this rider, Calvin Borel.
The news was confirmed on Wednesday by Borel’s agent, Jerry Hissam, on April 27th, 2011. The agent said, “They offered him to me earlier this week, we were talking with the people from Master of Hounds too, but they were waiting on Ryan Moore. There were also a couple of others we were talking to, but I decided it was time to make a decision”.
Hissam also said that Borel turned down the opportunity to ride Watch Me Go. Watch Me Go won the Tampa Bay Derby on March 12, 2011.
Jeff Bonde, the colt’s trainer, reported that the services of Borel were taken into consideration after voting by the owners of the colt. Bonde wanted Borel to ride the colt on his Friday practice at Churchill Downs
Twice the Appeal, winner of three out of ten starts, has earned himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby by winning the Sunland Park Derby on March 27, 2011.
He got the winner’s share of $400,000 and was able to qualify for the May 7th event. The victory jumped the colt’s career mark to 3-2-1 in 10 starts and his total earnings totaled $449,920.
Borel will be aboard the colt for the first time. The colt had to take seven tries before he could break his maiden. He managed to achieve this coup in Santa Anita on December 29, 2010.
Twice the Appeal will be working with Borel on the Churchill track on Friday and Saturday. It is said that Calvin watched videos of the colt’s races and he was very excited to mount Twice the Appeal.
Calvin Borel belongs to South Louisiana, famous for producing the finest of jockeys. He began his career by racing horses in bush tracks near his hometown in Catahoula.
His older brother, Cecil, also raced for a short duration of time but did not pursue his career as a jockey due to weight related issues.
Borel weighs 116 pounds and his height is 5’4”. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky. He is married to Lisa Funk.
Calvin Borel has won the Kentucky Derby in 2007, 2009 and 2010, every time he went to race. The first time it was with Street Sense. He guided the colt to a fabulous 2 ¼-margin victory.
His second scoop in the Kentucky Derby came aboard Mine That Bird in 2009 while his third came with Super Saver in 2010.
The jockey has also won the Preakness Stakes, riding Rachel Alexandra. The race took place on 16th May 2009.
Many other jockeys like Kent Desormeaux, Edgar Prado, Garrett Gomez, Rafael Bejarano and Javier Castellano do not have their mounts confirmed for the Kentucky Derby as yet.
Borel is known in the horse racing industry for slipping up the rail to save ground. This might prove to give Calvin Borel a chance to become the first jockey to have three consecutive wins in the Run for the Roses.
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