I liked the jockey.

 

He certainly was a colorful guy. He won the Derby two years ago and finished third last year. He isn't new to the action but he certainly brings his personal flair to it.

 

When was the last time a 50/1 shot won the Kentucky Derby? I think the emotions of the owners and trainers would be very different at the end of the race after that kinda win than the expected wins.

 

I loved every minute of the race. I thought the jockey ran a beautiful race. I loved that a long shot won. I get tired of the usual suspects winning.:dancingpa:deadhorse:

 

I agree with you Henry. I especially liked it when he told why he was so happy and got emotional bc of his mother and father had passed away earlier and didn't get to see it (and they saw it that day from above). That is why he was pointing upward, not to show anyone up.

As for some of the "T.O." type comments I just don't think so, I heard one reporter ask a question/comment on him about him (the jockey) being great and winning another derby. He replied....."this little horse is great, not me. I was just riding him."

 

I also agree about the long shot winning, a 50/1 shot wins with the favorite next to last :ylsuper:. This was my favorite Ky. Derby in a long, long time......maybe ever.:dancingpa

:lol: He was definitely moving. I liked how he ended that interview himself, to hurry over to Calvin to congratulate him.

 

:thumb::thumb:

Did anybody else find it interesting that Fresian Fire, the favorite to win, ended up finishing second to last? Anyone have any insight to what happened with that horse?

 

He got bumped out of the gate, never recovered.

 

Isn't it Mine that Bird?

The trainer kind of seemed like a jerk. Anybody hear his comment during the interview after the race? First, he seemed a little put-off to even be interviewing. Then when asked about his trip to Louisville, he pretty rudely stated that with a derby win, maybe everyone will find something else to talk about other than his drive there.

I think it's further proof that Kenny Rice is not well-respected amongst horse racing insiders and I think he was more put off by Rice and his repetitive questions than the interview itself. He gave a much better accounting of himself when Mike Battaglia interviewed him later. I think it has more to do with Kenny Rice than the trainer.

He got bumped out of the gate, never recovered.

 

Isn't it Mine that Bird?

 

Yes, it is.

Did anybody else find it interesting that Fresian Fire, the favorite to win, ended up finishing second to last? Anyone have any insight to what happened with that horse?

 

He also got stepped on out of the gate and tore off part of his left foot.

Calvin Borel and Mind That Bird pull off the monumental upset in the 135th Kentucky Derby. I of course didn't bet it, but I love seeing an upset winner every once in awhile.

However, I am now officially done with Calvin Borel. I am tabbing him as the Terrell Owens of horse racing. Every race he wins, whether it's a $5,000 claimer or the KY Derby, he makes a scene as he crosses (or in yesterday's case nears) the finish line. This slapping on the mane, holding the first up 50 yards short of the line, and constantly looking back at the field is not professional in my opinion. I'm not saying he's not good. In fact I think he's one of the best at Churchill Downs. I just wish he would act like he's been there before and not like T.O. when he gets into the endzone. :isurrender:

From the tone of your post I'd say that your horse didn't run very well :ylsuper:

From the tone of your post I'd say that your horse didn't run very well :ylsuper:

 

Actually, I had Pionnerof The Nile.

I'm not blaming Borel for getting so hyped up after winning the biggest horse race in the world. What bothers me about him is that if you go to Churchill Downs sometime this week and he wins a $5000 claiming race, he'll have the same actions/reactions as he did in the Derby. To me that's not necessary.

Actually, I had Pionnerof The Nile.

I'm not blaming Borel for getting so hyped up after winning the biggest horse race in the world. What bothers me about him is that if you go to Churchill Downs sometime this week and he wins a $5000 claiming race, he'll have the same actions/reactions as he did in the Derby. To me that's not necessary.

 

So you see him more as a Joakim Noah?

The trainer kind of seemed like a jerk. Anybody hear his comment during the interview after the race? First, he seemed a little put-off to even be interviewing. Then when asked about his trip to Louisville, he pretty rudely stated that with a derby win, maybe everyone will find something else to talk about other than his drive there.

 

Congratulations! You are now the trainer of a Kentucky Derby winning horse... how long did it take you to get to the track?

 

Anyone else think that was stupid question? Sure, the fact that he drove his own horse 21+ hours to Louisville made for a good story, but that story had already been told so many times before. Why not ask him if he thought Mine That Bird could pull off the triple-crown? Why not ask if he was headed for the Preakness? At least disguise the 21-hour drive story in another question... so how long will it take you to drive Mine That Bird to Maryland? Stupid questions deserve to get snide remarks.

So you see him more as a Joakim Noah?

 

Yeah, that's a GREAT comparison!

I enjoyed watching that race, and certainly wish I had bet on him. Having a longshot win is one thing, but having one win by such a big margin is even more fun.

 

Calvin Borel's celebration was not offensive at all IMO. Winning the Kentucky Derby is such a huge event that you can't blame him for enjoying every minute.

I can get the owner, think about your up there all week and the only news you get is the fact that you drove the horse up yourself, they did not ask or talk about anything else when they spoke of Mine that Bird. The Jockey looked like he was on Meth though, but I was happy for him seemed like a genuine guy.

I enjoyed watching that race, and certainly wish I had bet on him. Having a longshot win is one thing, but having one win by such a big margin is even more fun.

 

Calvin Borel's celebration was not offensive at all IMO. Winning the Kentucky Derby is such a huge event that you can't blame him for enjoying every minute.

 

I agree with you, but to me he just went a little overboard. This was his 2nd Derby victory. To me, he should have acted like he had been there before.

I agree with you, but to me he just went a little overboard. This was his 2nd Derby victory. To me, he should have acted like he had been there before.

 

 

He was riding a horse that no one had even heard of. A little horse in comparison to the bigger thoroughbreds. No one was talking about this horse AT ALL in the weeks leading up to the Derby. He just squeezed his little horse through a hole barely large enough to fit a horse through, and left the "deserving" horses in the dust. Not only does his little horse deserve the credit, but he absolutely deserves to whoop it up. He may be the best jockey around right now. He balances the risk and he's come out twice on top with horses everyone says shouldn't have been in the Derby.

 

Anyone who thinks an athlete (jockey, or any) should "act like they've been there" doesn't understand how emotional those athletes are about their job.

 

You don't like him, don't bet him. But I'll bet there are a lot of people who will bet him now BECAUSE they'll remember Bo-rail and his celebration, and why he was celebrating.

 

As to the trainer, he was asked more questions this week about his bum leg and the drive from NM to KY than about his horse. Yep, he has every right to say "In your face!" to the media.