A $9,500 gelding, a 50 to 1 longshot, ridden by Cajun jockey, Calvin H. Borel, wins the Kentucky Derby. Watch the video.
Sire: Birdstone, Dam: Mining My Own. Read all about Mine That Bird.
And the jockey Calvin Borel:
Borel lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his fiancee, Lisa Funk. Calvin Borel hails from south Louisiana, the heart of Cajun Country famous for its production of many top jockeys during the last twenty years. Like Randy Romero, Kent Desormeaux, and Shane Sellers, Borel began racing horses in the bush tracks near his hometown of Catahoula. One such track was Evangeline Downs in Carencro, Louisiana, where Borel began riding in match races at the age of eight.[citation needed] Calvin is known for his Cajun accent and bubbly personality, both of which were on full display during his post-victory interview after 2009's Kentucky Derby.
Well, of course! All us Cajuns have bubbly personalities. Just think. Borel's hometown is Catahoula, home of what some call the ugliest dog in the world, the Catahoula Hound, but I'd never call them that. Wiki says that the breed is not a hound, but a cur.
Today's win was Borel's second in the Derby. Yay Cajun!
The winnahs!
UPDATE: As soon as Mine That Bird crossed the finish line six and a quarter lengths ahead of 18 others, Borel’s tears flowed with the warmth and power of Niagara Falls. He patted, hugged, hollered and dripped tears on the gelding he met for the first time Monday. Finally, Borel kissed a rose and lofted it toward the heavens in honor of his late mother and father.
From the New York Times.
Congratulations Cajuns!
ReplyDeleteI just called Ma. She never misses the Derby. No mint juleps though.
It was a great race -- they sometimes call the jockey Bor-rail for his signature wins coming from behind along the rail. He was so fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet your Ma loved it. No mint julep for me, either. I celebrated with wine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a race, felt a bit sorry for #9 who was ahead so much of the time.! Gotta love that horse & jockey!
ReplyDeleteNij
Ann, I didn't know that. It was amazing to see him make his way through the pack and find his opening.
ReplyDeleteNij, I didn't feel sorry for anyone. I'm all selfishness and happy tonight.
Great race run by the jockey. The final few furlongs were perhaps the most exciting ever!
ReplyDelete"lofted it toward the heavens in honor of his late mother and father."
ReplyDeleteExcept he called them Momma and Daddy. That was when I cried!
That horse is little like Sea Biscuit, but not quite as ugly! ;-)
Fred, it was beyond exciting, almost too much.
ReplyDeleteSusan, a sweet moment, indeed.
I finally found Borel's quote that I've been looking for since last night at the BBC:
ReplyDelete"I learnt by Street Sense, being so patient with these three-year-olds," he said.
"They can only go so fast and so far. So I sat back and had a good trip and when I hollered at him he just went on."
Lovely!
There is also rejoicing in New Mexico, whence the horse that won. I think our states make lovely collaboration and I look forward to seeing you again! (Let the world beware.)
ReplyDeletePaul, obviously a combination that couldn't be beat. I'm looking forward too, love.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was pretty sure when that horse that led most of the way shot out of the gate and was running full out that he wouldn't make it. And Borel's reference to what he learned from Street Sense, his other Derby winner was just the right touch... You can't just whip a horse and expect it to win...
ReplyDeletedear Mimi & Paul bien aimees
ReplyDeletethat may be a Cajun jockey, and the winner may be stabled in NM- since last fall but that's a Canadian born and raised horse!
winners all 'round my dears!
je t'embrace
David@Montreal
Ah, David, true. To make up for leaving out a mention of Mine That Bird's Canadian heritage, I give you this:
ReplyDeleteO Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Winners all 'round, indeed.
A maple leaf in your cap, David!
ReplyDelete