Cosmic Evolution gives Borel reason to keep riding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel has for weeks planned a summer vacation in Florida as he ponders his future and possible retirement. But after winning Saturday’s night’s $100,000 Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs with Cosmic Evolution, he now has incentive to return to the saddle.

If she shows up in a stakes race while he is down south, Borel has no plans to have his toes in the sand, and watch the mount on her go to another jockey. “I’ll be there – don’t worry about that,” he said.

Cosmic Evolution gave him every reason to be excited with her Debutante performance. Unlike in her only prior start May 21, when she went to the lead, this time she rated comfortably in fourth behind an opening quarter in 22.21 seconds, waiting on Borel’s cue. She then advanced into second after a half-mile in 46.56, and drew clear in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths over favored Adhara.

The winner, a 2-year-old daughter of Proud Citizen, ran somewhat slowly, completing six furlongs in 1:11.89. By comparison, the Bashford Manor for 2-year-old males, contested a race earlier, was won by He’s Comin In Hot going the same distance in 1:10.90.

Cosmic Evolution paid $12.60 as the fourth choice in the field of seven.

Beyond the time, she was professional in victory and handled being off the pace better than other fillies in the race.

Adhara, under Corey Lanerie, looked poised to challenge coming into the lane under a rail-skimming ride but flattened out late, and Areolite, the 2-1 second choice who beat Cosmic Evolution when they both debuted May 21, could only pass tired runners to be a distant third after falling back to sixth early.

Lon Wiggins trains Cosmic Evolution for owner Stephen Fidel.