Calvin Borel happy to be back at Churchill Downs
Hall of Fame jockey and three-time Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) winner Calvin Borel returned to the saddle following a brief hiatus on Aug. 27 at Ellis Park and nearly one month later rode his first winner aboard 22-1 longshot Playing a Joke in Sunday’s finale at Churchill Downs.
“It’s very exciting,” Borel, 49, said. “It’s just a race but it’s very exciting for me and to win for (trainer) Ron Moquett and the owners (Southern Springs Stables) for giving me the opportunity to come back and ride. I’m very happy to be back. It’s just a matter of getting the timing right and getting fit and everything. I got six seconds since I came back so they’re all running well but once you win a couple you get back in the rhythm.
“You never lose that energy. When you ride for years like I have you don’t forget. It’s like riding a bike. I just love the game; it’s something that you can never take away from me. I went a way for a little while but I really wasn’t ready to retire … I was far from it. I got a real good reception and the trainers have given me great opportunities to ride back. I’m just going to take things day-by-day and go from there.”
Borel credits trainer William “Buff” Bradley for helping him get back into the swing of things.
“We’ve been tight for a long time,” Borel said. “He’s always been good to me and helped me out along the way on the downside and I’m doing very well.”
DOWNS AFTER DARK SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT; BEN SOLLEE, LINKIN’ BRIDGE TO PERFORM – Bourbon, Bets and Bow Ties is the theme for Saturday night’s Downs After Dark Presented by Stella Artois and Woodford Reserve – the final nighttime racing event of the year at Churchill Downs.
The evening is an opportunity to celebrate the best of the south including bourbon, Thoroughbred racing and fashion. Track officials plan to infuse a contemporary, yet timeless Southern style into everything from food to music and décor.
An outstanding doubleheader of musical entertainment on the Plaza stage will be provided by Kentucky-born cellist and composer Ben Sollee (7:15-9 p.m.) and the incredibly-popular Louisville group Linkin’ Bridge (9:30-10:45 p.m.), who recently was a Top 10 finalist on the hit television series America’s Got Talent.
Other event highlights include special bourbon-infused dishes from local food trucks and craft cocktails from the pop-up Plaza Bourbon Bar, and interaction with famous prohibition-era Kentuckians courtesy of the Frazier History Museum.
Trouble with bow ties? Have your bow tie tied for you at the vineyard vines pop-up shop with bow tie tying stations in the Plaza. Guests can bring their own or shop for the latest vineyard vines bow tie designs and purchase one on-site.
Attendees also can get personalized wagering advice at the Wagering 101 tent near the Plaza and enter Bet or No Bet presented by Thorntons for the chance to place a $1,000 win bet on Races 6-9.
Admission gates open at 5 p.m. and the first of 11 races is 6 p.m. General admission is $10 and reserved seat packages start at $25. The final race of the evening is scheduled for 11:10 p.m. but the party continues until midnight.
Party For A Purpose will be held in the Grandstand Area to benefit the Forecastle Foundation. Attendees will be able to enjoy the sounds of local DJ Matt Anthony and internationally acclaimed Red Bull Thre3style World Champion DJ Hedspin, craft cocktails and a dance floor that overlooks the track. VIP Cabanna Access includes a full premium bar at $59 and General Party Access is $15.
Also available is the Original Makers Club Courtyard Lounge, where guests can enjoy the Sport of Kings trackside from the Section 119 Courtyard, live music, regionally-inspired small-plate style fare, beer, wine and Woodford Reserve cocktails. The ticket price is $150 and is limited to 275 guests.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Thursday’s eight-race card is the first of two Twilight Thursdays during the boutique 11-day September Meet. Fans can enjoy Thoroughbred racing and $1 beers after work in the Paddock Plaza on Thursdays, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. Gates open at 4 p.m. (all times Eastern) and the first race is 5 p.m. on Twilight Thursdays, which feature $1 beer, live music (Josh Kauffman on Sept. 22 and BoogieJuice on Sept. 29), food trucks (Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, Holy Mole, Mark’s Feed Store, 502 Café and Pollo), and Betting 101 tips from resident handicappers in Churchill Downs’ Plaza from 5-8 p.m. … The 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot carryover for Thursday is $21,695. The sequence begins in Race 3 (5:58 p.m. ET). … … Churchill Downs Racing Club’s 2-year-old filly Dial Me is entered in Thursday’s seventh race, a first-level allowance over six furlongs. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee is 8-1 on the morning line. … Two-year-old filly Ginza, who is 8-1 on the morning line for her career debut in Thursday’s third race, is a full-sister to two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Stephanie’s Kitten. The $43,000 race is for maiden 2-year-old fillies at one mile on turf. She is owned by James Karp and trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who needs six wins to reach 700 victories at Churchill Downs. … LNJ Foxwoods’ Freedom, trained by Steve Asmussen, is 7-2 on the morning line for her debut Thursday’s finale. The 2-year-old War Front filly is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winner Hoppertunity.
Source: Churchill Downs