US Racing / Editor / 24 August 2007 /

Perfect gentleman is enjoying a dream year

Calvin Borel had no time to blow kisses to the crowd this week at the Spa. The jockey was locked in an all-out drive for the line on Lady Joanne who held on grimly to fend off the challenge of Lear's Princess close home with Octave back in third in The Grade 1 Alabama Stakes.

What a season journeyman Borel is having. It's one of those years that rarely comes around but is richly deserved for this Louisiana man. It's hard to imagine anybody more humble and polite that Borel. A certain journalist for a racing paper here should take note of his recent efforts after suggesting he should lose the ride on Street Sense after the Kentucky Derby.

Crossing over to Del Mar later in the afternoon, Rutherienne made mincemeat of her rivals in the Del Mar Oaks with Nakatani taking the ride. The great Lava Man went down fighting in the Pacific Classic on Sunday in which outsider Student Council made a huge move on the turn to mow down his rivals. Lava Man had every chance but faded in the lane to finish sixth.

I would hate to write him off but I really think he needs a break and for his sake I hope he does not go to Breeders Cup to take on the likes of Street Sense. As for the winner, trainer Vladimir Cerin said "Jerry Brown of Thoro-Graph found the horse" as he was spotted by Brown at Saratoga while he was conditioned by Neil Howard. For those of you readers that don't know we have a newly formed partnership with Thoro-Graph, a website full of US racing form and statistics. You can check them out at www.thorograph.com/betfair as part of our newly formed partnership.

On Sunday I witnessed the performance of the weekend when Crossing The Line fairly bolted up in The Del Mar Mile. For me this horse deserves to take his place in the Breeders Cup Mile. I think Joey will have a slice of the ante-post action as soon as we open a market and I will take anything above 16 for this one right now...

There is some superb action on offer this week. First up is The Grade One Kings Bishop at Saratoga run over seven furlongs - the sort of race we should have more of in Europe. These three year olds are sure to set very fast fractions and as long as Hard Spun does not get in to a suicidal duel I think he should win. I think around 3.5 is fair because King Of The Roxy comes in as the fresher horse and the speedy EZ Warrior and Teuflesburg will make sure Hard Spun gets a real test.

On the same card later on Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is seen in action in The Travers.For me defeat is out of the question and I will be my PC very early to see what I can get matched odds on for this superstar. He is forecast around 1.7 but I will probably take around 1.65.I rarely bet odds on but with only really Sightseeing as a possible upset this horse must be backed. The Travers has been Sightseeing's target for a while but I am confident of the win. I only hope he can come close to the great Bernadini's effort here last year.

If you are ever flying to New York for a weekend break mark this date down in your calendar as the one to do it. In many circles The Travers only comes second to the Kentucky Derby in importance. It could be a historic weekend with Calvin Borel winning The Alabama and The Travers in one week. Helping trainer Carl Nafzger to achieve a very rare double. If he does I hope that journalist I talked about earlier will pay tribute to a great jockey and a perfect gentleman.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>