Preakness Stakes 2009

Preakness Stakes 2009 at online bookmaker Bodog.com have Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird listed at 11 to 2 odds to take the second race of the Triple Crown Series. The three year old gelding had not demonstrated enough in his three races prior to the Run for the Roses to warrant any sort optimism from the odds makers; he certainly shocked them — along with most everyone else_by winning the coveted race. Count Preakness Stakes 2009 horse racing expert Anthony Stabile of VegasInsider.com among those flabbergasted by Mine That Bird’s Derby victory.

“I can honestly say, him crossing the wire first in the Derby was one of the most shocking things I've seen in my 32 plus years on this planet” Stabile said. However, there were those who felt that Bird would be in the race because of jockey Calvin Borel. Preceding the Run for the Roses, Steve Hastings of Point-Spreads.com had this to say: “In the history of Churchill Downs, Calvin Borel is the sixth jockey to win six races on a single race card so if anyone can get it done on a long shot horse it is him. Borel won the Kentucky Derby in 2007 riding Street Sense. [I would] suggest bettors grab the +5000 odds on Mine the Bird for a few bucks as a long shot to make history.”

Unfortunately for Mine That Bird and his trainer, Chip Woolley, Jr., Borel will be riding Rachel Alexandra this afternoon. The Cajun jockey has had the mount on Alexandra’s last five races, all wins. Woolley understood Borel’s decision and was not blindsided by it. “This is a business, and Calvin has to watch out for himself,” Woolley said. “It was his choice and I respect his choice. It was a hard choice for him to make and I appreciate the fact that he and his agent were really upfront with us from Day One, as soon as they knew the prospect was out there (to ride Rachel Alexandra). They came and told us and gave us the opportunity to get the best rider we could.”