Borel: ‘This is what makes me happy'

Horsemen and fans who were skeptical when it was announced in March that Calvin Borel had decided to retire were proven correct when the Hall of Fame jockey recently decided to return to riding. In recent interviews with Ellis Park publicity, Borel revealed why he decided to return.

“I just wasn’t happy,” said Borel, 49. “I wanted to come back to ride. This is what makes me happy. I love to ride.”

Added Borel, the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times in a four-year span: “Day by day, I kept saying, ‘Look, Calvin, the first Saturday in May is getting close. You need to make up your mind if you’re going to ride.’ ”

In the sixth race Saturday at Ellis, Borel is scheduled to return from his five-month layoff when he rides Kiss My Note, a homebred 2-year-old owned and trained by Buff Bradley. Borel’s new agent, Frank Bernis, said he expects business to pick up at Kentucky Downs.