Belmont Gambling News Features Ongoing Jockey Musical Chairs
After the thrilling, last-to-first upset in the Kentucky Derby, and then the daring duel in the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes promises to provide more excitement for gambling patrons. Horse racing fans who think the first two legs of the Triple Crown races can't be beat for story lines are already getting their money's worth in pre-race speculation as the jockeys on the top horses rotate once again.
Mike Smith, who almost managed to duplicate Calvin Borel's Derby ride aboard Mine That Bird only to lose to Borel on his new mount, Rachel Alexandra, won't ride Bird in the Preakness. Smith has decided instead to ride Madeo in the Whittingham Stakes at Hollywood Park on the same day.
"We made this commitment to Madeo before the Preakness, before the filly was sold and Calvin took off Mine That Bird to ride the filly and we got a chance to ride Mine That Bird in the Preakness," said Smith's agent Monday.
Borel had left Bird after winning the Derby to honor a commitment to Rachel Alexandra, whose entry has complicated the premier races after skipping the Derby.
So who rides Mine That Bird, the little horse with the huge heart, after practically racing past the entire field twice? Perhaps Borel, if Rachel Alexandra's owners decide the Belmont is simply too long for the filly, who appeared tired by the end of the Preakness, shortest of the three Triple Crown races.
But Bird trainer Chip Wooley says he have to wait and see who his team calls to mount Bird. Wooley certainly isn't thrilled by having to wait on Alexandra's owners to decide whether to run before acquiring a jockey. And, despite all possible amicable handling of Borel's move to Alexandra, there has to be some resentment on Wooley's part toward Borel for his one-length miss at a shot at the elusive Triple Crown.
