And no...I'm not referring to the predictably damp track after the heavens opened up on Long Island today. Their is a popular theory that if the possibility of a Triple Crown doesn't exist, than the Belmont Stakes is just like any other horse race...except with about ten times the amount of people. Normally, I would agree with this whole heatedly. I typically find it hard to get into the race without a historical possibility. So why am I so into the race this evening? Simple. Their is a historical possibility.
Calvin Borel is looking to become the first jockey to win the triple crown on two different horses. This would, obviously, be known as the Jockey Triple Crown. For a sport that hasn't had a triple crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, this should have been a bigger deal than it was. To be relevant, Horse Racing needs a story for the public to latch on to. People don't know or care enough about individual horses to be into something the ultimately has no historical relevance. Find me 10 average sports fans who knew anything about any of the Kentucky Derby horses 8 days prior to the race and I'll give you 10,000 who didn't realize the Kentucky Derby was eight days away. I think if racing made more of a deal out of the Jockeys, then racing might be a little more popular.
The sport has the perfect opportunity to do so now. If Borel wins today, he will have won four of the last six triple crown races. Think of that in terms of other sports. If a team wins four out of six games, that's a dominating stretch. A small one, but a dominating one. Four out of six playoff games advances you to the next round in every major playoff system that utilizes the multiple game format. While we've heard talk this week of Borel's jockey triple crown bid, we haven't heard Borel talked about from a historical perspective. Is Borel the best jockey in racing today? I think the answer is a resounding yes. How does he compare with other jockey's of past eras? Is he a Jerry Baily type? How does he compare with the triple crown winning jockey's of the late 70's? These are questions that I drummed up in about ten seconds. I'm sure racing analysts could have had a field day with Borel vs. Greatness. But to my knowledge, they did not. That was a big mistake.
Borel has been almost attacked for his guarantee that Mine That Bird will win. While maybe this goes against the general culture of the sport, I don't see why this is a bad thing. Borel is a likable guy who seems nothing but grateful to be in the position he's in. Some jockey's, I hear, are gigantic jerks. Borel seams the complete opposite. He is always genuinely moved and touched when interviewed after a race. He repeated thanks his fiancee and talks of love for his passed on parents through the tones of a barley audible, but slightly lovable Cajun accent. I don't see whats not to love about Calvin Borel. Horse racing should stop vilifying him for a little confidence and embrace him for the obvious greatness he possesses. You don't win 3 of 5 triple crown races on three different horses by accident.
My Belmont Pick:
1. Mine That Bird- How can I go against Borel. Look at the track record. I don't know who's running in next years derby, but I do know this- I got Borel's horse.
2. Dunkirk- Liked him in the derby, like him here.
3. Chocolate Candy- Some think he can win. I have to see Borel loose before I pick against him.
- Jordan Lauterbach
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