Wanted: Rider

Well it seems I spoke too soon. Mike Smith has relinquished his seat aboard Mine That Bird for the Belmont and it seems as if another change is possible. Personally, I would love to see Borel back on board if only because it creates the possibility of a personal Triple Crown--and who wouldn't love to spin that story?

In an admirable display of loyalty, Mike Smith has decided to honor his commitment to ride Madeo in the Charlie Whittingham Stakes at Hollywood Park the same day as the Belmont. "Mike is really loyal to our program," commented John Shirreffs, trainer of Madeo, who noted that Smith committed to Madeo before he rode Mine That Bird."The fact that Mike never asked to be released from his commitment on Madeo says a lot about his character."

Smith himself clarified: "They are my first call people, and they have done so much for my career. This is an important race for Madeo and I need to be there. I would never ask them to get out of my commitment."

What a saga. You couldn't have made this up if you tried! Lots of speculation, naturally, about what trainer of Mine That Bird, Chip Wooley, will do and Chantal Sutherland, ironically Mike Smith's girlfriend and one of Mine That Bird's steady riders before he hit the big time, is being touted as a possibility.

Not that anyone has the final call but the trainer, but in a year when a Triple Crown is once again an impossibility, the possibility of a personal one for Borel would go far to boost the Belmont's ratings and perhaps add to attendance.

Never mind what the moral of that story would be if it came to pass. (That the only way to win a Triple Crown these days is with multiple horses?) It would keep things interesting and racing needs all the interest it can get!