Borel still plugging away despite fewer opportunities
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Don’t anybody worry about Calvin Borel. He’s just fine.
“Everything’s good, brother,” Borel said after breaking a drought by winning the fifth race Wednesday at Keeneland aboard 16-1 shot American Greatness. “I’m happy.”
Borel maintains an upbeat attitude despite a slide in his Hall of Fame riding career. His Wednesday upset came in his first mount since he took time off to visit with his older brother, former trainer Cecil Borel, in their native Louisiana, following a Fair Grounds meet during which the jockey went 6 for 117.
Borel, who stopped riding for a five-month period in 2016 for personal reasons, has seen his business slip precipitously in recent years. Until this week, he had not ridden a winner since March 11 – a span of 30 races.
“Calvin’s numbers are way down, but he sure seems the same rider to me,” said trainer Buff Bradley, who remains close with Borel. “Plus, ever since they had the baby, he’s been very happy.”
Borel, 51, became a father in September when his fiancée, Renay Falkner, gave birth to their son, Chase Clovis Borel. Falkner recently returned to work at Churchill Downs as an exercise rider for D. Wayne Lukas.
“Mama and the baby are great,” said Borel.
With Derby 144 fast approaching, Borel and his agent, Steve Krajcir, are being asked about a possible mount. Regardless of the latest trends, Borel always will be known as the first (and still only) jockey in Derby history to win three times in a four-year span.
“I’ve put in a couple of calls but haven’t heard anything back yet,” said Krajcir. “I’d love to get him a mount. Love to.”
Into Friday, Borel had amassed 5,199 wins and nearly $130 million in mount earnings. Those numbers alone might not have been enough to make the Racing Hall of Fame, but his remarkable Derby spree with Street Sense (2007), Mine That Bird, (2009), and Super Saver (2010) led to his induction in 2013.
