Borel will try to make history Saturday

Last year, we all waited in anticipation during Belmont Stakes week to see if Big Brown would become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978. Of course, for whatever reason, he just wasn't good enough.

This year, we wait in anticipation during Belmont Stakes week to see if the colorful Calvin Borel can become the first jockey to win the Triple Crown on different horses. He already became the first rider to win the Derby (Mine That Bird) and Preakness (Rachel Alexandra) aboard different mounts, and now he shoots for the biggest trifecta of 'em all.

Say one thing about the 42-year-old Borel, whether you like his horses or not, he's good for the sport. He never fails to realize where he's come from and who helped him get to where he is today, always saluting his mom and dad after big victories and displaying the type of tearful joy that only makes you feel happy for him.

After Mine That Bird put in his final work for Saturday's Belmont, going a half-mile in 50 seconds this morning, Borel voiced the same eternal optimism he displayed for Rachel Alexandra before the Preakness.

"We're going to win it, no questions asked," the Daily Racing Form quoted the Louisiana native as saying.

Borel's victory in this year's Derby was his second in the Run for the Roses. He also rode Street Sense to victory in 2007 and finished second to Curlin in the Preakness. He's not just some guy who surfaces during the Triple Crown races, either. He became only the sixth rider in history to win six races in one afternon at Churchill Downs in 2007 and he rode Seek Gold, a 91-1 mega-long shot, to victory in the 2006 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill.

He's sometimes known as Calvin "Bo-rail" because of his rail-skimming rides, like the one he gave Mine That Bird in this year's Derby. He has an older brother named Cecil who also was a jockey until he retired because he couldn't maintain his weight. Calvin began his riding career at Delta Downs and has become one of the top big-race riders in recent years.

I like a different horse, Charitable Man, to win this year's Belmont, but you have to admire a guy like Calvin Borel, who's known as a tireless worker. He's certainy paid his dues in this sport and seems like the type of individual who would deserve his spot in the history books if he can win the Belmont aboard Mine That Bird.