Belmont Stakes 2017: J Boys Echo to reunite with Robby Albarado

The news out of the Dale Romans barn this morning was good. First, Belmont Stakes 2017 contender J Boys Echo breezed a strong five furlongs in 1:00 at Churchill Downs, prompting his trainer to exclaim, “I think this is the best he’s ever worked.” Then, and every bit as importantly, jockey Robby Albarado was confirmed to ride the Gotham winner in next weekend's final leg of the Triple Crown.

“I’m part of Dale’s team,” Albarado said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to hurt the team. So, if my body’s ready, I’m excited to ride the horse.” he added about the son of Mineshaft, who is scheduled to fly to New York on Tuesday.

Robby Albarado has won some of the world's biggest races. As the regular pilot of two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, the 43-year-old native of Louisiana won the Breeders' Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and a very memorable edition of the Preakness.

To this point, though, the Belmont Stakes is a race that has eluded him. For that matter, Albarado has yet to find the winner's circle in the Kentucky Derby, as well. 

You'll remember the winner of more than 5,000 career races was unable to ride the Albaugh Family Stable's J Boys Echo in the Kentucky Derby after suffering a fractured leg during a spill at Keeneland just two weeks before the first Saturday in May. The injury was bad enough, but missing the Derby had to be especially disappointing for the jockey who lost out on a winning Kentucky Derby mount six years earlier.

Albarado was replaced on Animal Kingdom by owner Barry Irwin, after he broke his nose, and suffered facial lacerations three days earlier in a post-parade accident. John Velazquez, who only became available for the Kentucky Derby when the two-year-old champion, Uncle Mo, was scratched the day before, went on to ride the Graham Motion-trained colt to victory. Albarado could do nothing but watch, as the big chestnut rolled down the stretch in America's most prestigious race.

Of course, it would have been one thing if he was unable to ride that afternoon of May 7, 2011, but that was not the case. Albarado was cleared to ride, and did so effectively, scoring on a strong late run by Sassy Image in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff a few races before the Derby. 

Now, it seems that Albarado has come full circle -- or at least has the opportunity to do so. Once again, the jockey has been cleared to ride, but this time, he will not be taken off his horse in a classic. Romans remains loyal to his number one rider.

Albarado is scheduled to return on Thursday, and will ride two horses at Churchill Downs. Those will be his first mounts since the injury in late April.

Two days after that, Albarado will hop aboard the horse he was supposed to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Reunited with J Boys Echo for the Belmont Stakes, it's hard not to wonder if the stars will align for horse and rider this time.