Calvin Borel has become one of the most talked about jockeys in the world. He has repeatedly won the most prestigious horse races and ridden atop the most significant mounts in the industry. No one knows the intricacies of Churchill Downs like Calvin. In fact, his nickname amongst friends and fans is “Bo-rail,” due to his dangerous habit of riding so close to the rail at Churchill Downs.  Calvin has won an unprecedented three out of four Kentucky Derbys — in 2007, 2009, and 2010, in dramatic fashion.  Calvin brought Street Sense to victory from 19th place to win the 2007 Derby. In 2009, he rode Mine That Bird, a 50-1 long shot to victory, and his 2010 mud soaked win atop Super Saver was one of the most exciting moments in all of sports. In addition, he is only the second jockey to win 1,000 career races at Churchill Downs.  Citiview Louisville® recently caught up with Calvin, at Churchill Downs, as he was working with Mine That Bird and asked him a few questions to give you additional insight into his fascinating twenty-five year career.

Citiview: Which of your many victories are the most memorable?
Calvin: Riding Free Spirit Joy in the Louisiana Super Derby in 1991. It was a million dollar race and the horse was Louisiana bred. But Street Sense (the 2007 Derby winner) was the horse that made me famous.

Citiview: What are your favorite horses you’ve ridden?
Calvin: Rachel Alexandra, Street Sense, Mine That Bird, Super Saver, Twice Around, and Hello America are all great horses.

Citiview: Which tracks are your favorites and which do you think are most difficult?
Calvin: Churchill Downs is my favorite but I also like Louisiana Downs, Oak Lawn and Ellis Park. Saratoga is the most difficult.

Citiview: You’re known for riding the rail and some people consider that dangerous. How do you feel about it?
Calvin: It’s the shortest way around the track. If I ever feel any hints of fear then I’ll know it’s time to retire.

Citiview: What qualities does a jockey need to possess to be successful?
Calvin: Be a very hard worker, have a great agent on your side [Borel has been with the same agent for 20 years], win,lose or draw, and good guidance! Horse racing is an up and
down road. My brother (Cecil, a horse trainer) helped keep me focused and was always a great guide.

Citiview: Calvin, you’re known for your focus and tireless work ethic. What is a typical training day for you?
Calvin: I usually begin riding around 6 or 7 am and ride up to 8 horses and then another 8 in the afternoon, so about 16 horses per day.

Citiview: How do you prepare for a race?
Calvin: It’s the same every day. You study the forms and the horses. You can’t ride like you think the race is going to happen because 85% of the time is doesn’t happen like you think.
You can start out riding like the trainer wants you to race but then sometimes you have to go to Plan B or even Plan C! You never know until the gates break what is going to
happen. You have to make split second decisions and so you have to remain incredibly focused during the race.

Citiview: How do you get the most from your horses?
Calvin: I work with the horse in the morning and learn from riding them. Do they have speed? Will they come from behind? Will the horse be there when I need them in the last 3/8 mile? Do they run well in company? I watch replays of their previous races, too.

Citiview: Is there much actual contact when the horses bunch up along the race?
Calvin: Oh Yeah! You’re bumped around in there a lot. It doesn’t really affect me so much but it can really affect the horses. Some horses don’t like to be in there.  Some are fighters and love being in the middle of it. Sometimes I use the fence as a guide for the horses and they like that better than going between other horses and they feel safer.
Other horses like running on the outside.  

Citiview: How does flying in from other locales affect a horse’s performance?
Calvin: It’s much better flying a horse from the west to the east. Their lungs open up more. I try to run them right away. If they fly from east to west it seems to take 2-3 weeks for them to get back in the groove. The longer the flight the harder it is on the horse, just like the jockeys.

Citiview: What was your inspiration to be a jockey?
Calvin: I was born to be a jockey! I was on a horse when I was 2. I went to live with my brother when I was 12 and he knew I had the potential to be a great rider. He encouraged
me and kept me focused.

Citiview: What professional goals do you have that are still unfulfilled?
Calvin: Winning the Belmont Stakes.  And winning 5000 races, I only have about 150 left to get there.

Citiview: What are your favorite things to do when you’re not racing?
Calvin: Fish, hunt and watch my wife Lisa ride her jumping horses.