NEW YORK — Mine That Bird was made a 2-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, when Calvin Borel will attempt to become the first jockey to win all three Triple Crown races with different horses.
Borel rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby, then won the Preakness Stakes aboard the filly Rachel Alexandra, and is back on Mine That Bird for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.
A field of 10 3-year-olds was entered Wednesday, with Mine That Bird drawing the No. 7 post position. Charitable Man, who missed the Derby and the Preakness, was the second choice at 3-1. He drew the No. 6 post.
Also entered, from the rail out, are: Chocolate Candy (10-1), Dunkirk (4-1), Mr. Hot Stuff (15-1), Summer Bird (12-1), Luv Gov (20-1), Flying Private (12-1), Miner’s Escape (15-1) and Brave Victory (15-1).
Borel guided Mine That Bird to a breathtaking last-to-first run along the rail to win the Derby by 6 3/4 lengths, and the gelding finished a diminishing length behind Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness with another come-from-behind run.
In the Belmont, the longest and most grueling of the Triple Crown races, Mine That Bird may be closer to the leaders because the early pace is not as fast as in shorter races.
