Once again, Calvin Borel will come up from Kentucky to ride Ms. Alexandra, and if successful, she will have the first jewel in the Triple Tiara – and a chance at becoming a potential undefeated filly champion.

Due in large part to her smashing performance in the Kentucky Oaks and the follow-up beat down of the boys in the Preakness, there will be a small field to oppose Rachel; as of this writing, the only considered challengers are Flushingand Malibu Prayer.

Canadian Shakin’

Meanwhile, up north, Canada’s Triple Crown started off well for the legions of chalk players as favored Eye of the Leopard caught Mr. Foricos Two U in deep stretch to grab the Queen’s Plate under jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva at Woodbine Race Track.

The winner of the million dollar ‘Plate paid $6.70 to win, and begins probably the most unique of the Triple Crown series. The Queen’s Plate is run on the artificial surface at one and a quarter miles; the Polytrack Prince of Wales Stakes is run in July on dirt at Fort Erie racetrack at a distance of 1 3/16 miles; and the Breeders’ Stakes is run over a mile and a half of the beautiful turf back at Woodbine in August.

So a Canadian Triple Crown champ will be arguably more versatile because of the mix of surfaces; perhaps we may see the ‘Leopard come Breeders’ Cup time…

Win, Place & Show</p>

Win: Here’s some 411 on who is getting it done first across the wire, according to Equibase:

The following jockeys are approaching a major North American Thoroughbred milestone as listed below:

Jockey Rafael Bejarano is approaching a personal milestone of 2,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Bejarano was at 1,994  wins. (Bejarano is currently riding out west at Hollywood Park).

Jockey Robert C. Landry is approaching a personal milestone of 2,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Landry was at 1,999  wins. (Landry rides out of Canada’s Woodbine Race Track).    

Jockey Miguel A. Perez is approaching a personal milestone of 1,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Perez was at 990  wins (Perez rides out of New Mexico and western Canada).

Jockey Real E. Simard is approaching a personal milestone of 2,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Simard was at 1,990  wins. (Simard currently rides out of Northlands Park Race Track in Edmonton, Canada). 

The following trainers are approaching a major North American milestone as listed below:

Trainer William R. Connelly is approaching a personal milestone of 1,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Connelly was at 999 wins. He is based currently at Indiana Downs.

Trainer Lloyd C. Mason is approaching a personal milestone of 1,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Mason was at 998 wins. He is based at Stockton and the northern California fair circuit.  

Trainer Ray E. Tracy, Jr. is approaching a personal milestone of 1,000 all time wins. Through racing in June, Tracy, Jr. was at 993 wins. Tracy, Jr. is based out of Iowa’s Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

Place: Well right now, Belmont is the place to be because of Rachel; but more tracks in North America, Europe and Asia are being included in the “win and you’re in” concept of the Breeders’ Cup.

Show: Someone needs to show the insensitive jackasses at ESPN the door. In a recent race at Belmont Park, a horse, Phone Jazz, threw rider Jean-Luc Samyn out of the gate. Phone Jazz then proceeded to wire the field running sans rider.

The idiot talking heads describing the action are laughing as they chuckle through the details, cognizant of the fact that a jockey was thrown off his horse; and that other riders’ safety could have been in jeopardy because of it.

We just reported (sadly) the recent injury of rider Rene Douglas and how Belmont had an event recognizing the danger jockeys encounter on a daily basis.

It seems if it isn’t a Triple Crown race or special racing event, coverage of thoroughbred racing is relegated to thoughtless moments like this that mainstream media wants to make light of and call said instances  “spoofs” which they play silly music to or highlight as a joke.     

I think if those jerks were jolted off of a Noble Beast clocking over 40 MPH, I “gar-on-tee” they would not be laughing…Respect the riders and respect the game.

Until next time, when you see a jockey thrown, make sure you remember to ask:

IS THE RIDER OKAY?