The third time was the charm for three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel, who was tapped for thoroughbred racing’s highest honor Friday.
Borel, a two-time riding champion at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, was announced as a 2013 inductee into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Joining Borel in this year’s class are three horses: Housebuster, Invasor and Lure.
Borel, 46, had been a voting finalist in 2011 and 2012.
“Extremely happy for Calvin,” said David Longinotti, Oaklawn’s director of racing. “Anyone who has really watched him ride has a special place in their heart for him.”
Fueled by daring rail-skimming rides and success in the Kentucky Derby - racing’s most famous event - Borel became maybe the country’s most popular jockey the past few years.
Borel is the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times in four years, taking the first leg of racing’s Triple Crown in 2007 aboard Street Sense, in 2009 aboard Mine That Bird and in 2010 aboard Super Saver.
Borel was also the regular rider of Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year after winning all eight of her starts, including the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. Rachel Alexandra wintered that year at Oaklawn, where Borel has enjoyed immense success.
Borel ended Pat Day’s 12-year hold on the riding title in 1995 and was Oaklawn’s leading rider again in 2001.
Borel has ridden 912 winners in Hot Springs and is among only a handful of riders to capture the track’s five biggest events during the annual Racing Festival of the South: the Arkansas Derby, Apple Blossom, Oaklawn Handicap, Fantasy and Count FleetSprint Handicap.
He’s also reached three career milestones at Oaklawn, recording his 3,000th career victory in 1999, his 4,000th in 2005 and his 5,000th on March 7 aboard Hezunusal for trainer David Whited of Hot Springs and owner/breeder Billy Welch of Ashdown.
Only 25 other jockeys in North American history have reached 5,000 career victories.
An emotional Borel dedicated the March 7 victory to his longtime agent, Jerry Hissam of Hot Springs, who announced his retirement earlier this year because of health problems.
“I think the Hall of Fame is a tribute to both of them,” Longinotti said.
Under Hall of Fame rules, the four individuals who received the most votes from among the final 10 on the ballot were this year’s inductees.
Borel, Housebuster, Invasor and Lure were chosen from a nationwide voting panel of 179 racing writers, broadcasters, industry officials and historians from the 10 finalists selected by the museum’s nominating committee.
Jockeys Chris Antley, Garrett Gomez, Craig Perret and Alex Solis, trainer Gary Jones and two-time champion filly Ashado were the other finalists.
The induction ceremony is Aug. 9 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
The Borel file
AGE 46 BIRTHPLACE St. Martinville, La. RESIDENCE Louisville, Ky. NICKNAME ”Bo-Rail” for his habit of keeping horses near the rail FIRST VICTORY Jan. 14, 1983 (Delta Downs) VICTORIES 5,012 CAREER PURSE EARNINGS $120,861,427 MILESTONES (AT OAKLAWN) Recorded his 3,000th career victory March 26, 1999, his 4,000th career victory Feb. 16, 2005, and his 5,000th career victory March 7 at Oaklawn. DRAPED IN ROSES Won Kentucky Derby three times in four-year span: in 2007 aboard Street Sense, in 2009 aboard Mine That Bird and in 2010 aboard Super Saver. RIDING TITLES Ended Pat Day’s 12-year hold on the jockey title at Oaklawn in 1995 and again in 2001. … Four time leading rider at Churchill Downs (1999, 2006 and 2009 fall meetings and 2010 spring meeting). … Also won at Evangeline Downs (1983), Delta Downs (1983, 1984) and Louisiana Downs (1991, 1992 and 1994), Turfway Park (2000 fall meeting) and Ellis Park (2011). … Second-winningest jockey in Churchill Downs history (1,126). … Has 912 victories at Oaklawn.
RACHEL’S GUY Regular rider of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, who wintered that year at Oaklawn. Borel rode Rachel Alexandra to the 2009 Preakness Stakes, the first filly to win the race in 85 years. BREEDERS’ CUP Won 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile aboard Street Sense. NOTEWORTHY Produced the biggest Arkansas Derby upset when he rode Rockamundo ($218) to victory in 1993. … ESPY Award winner in 2007, 2009 and 2010 for top jockey. … Won George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2010, which is presented annually by fellow riders to a jockey who demonstrates outstanding character on and off the racetrack. … Won the 2010 Meydan Masters international jockey competition in Dubai. … Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sports, Pages 19 on 04/27/2013