Belmont Bound

Calvin Borel is feeling very confident about his chances of winning the Belmont according to Bloodhorse.com. After working the gelding a half mile at Churchill Downs on June 1, he pronounced him "perfect." "He's ready. We're going to win. No questions asked," he continued.

The workout was low key--galloping--and suited both horse and rider. "It wasn't fast, but he didn't need to go fast," according to Borel. "He gets more from galloping than he does from a work."

Borel is off to NYC for a whirlwind of activities, including taping the David Letterman Show (to air June 5) and ringing the opening bell on the stock exchange with Chip Woolley and Gary Contessa on June 3. Mine That Bird will arrive in the Big Apple on June 3.

All connections feel that the horse is training well, feeling fit and does not appear tired or sore after the other two Triple Crown races, a fact that Borel attributes to his late running style.

Lots of questions about the Belmont surface, the predictably slower pace, and that long Belmont stretch. Both jockey and trainer don't want Mine That Bird as far back as he was in the other two races. "It's going to be hard to close in this, I'm sure of that," said Woolley. "We're not going to change his running style. We're going to try and run the same race and see what happens."

One thing everyone agrees on is that the distance is not going to be a factor for this son of Birdstone, who also came out of nowhere to win the Belmont.

Sounds like a sound plan from Camp MTB and you know where my money will be on Saturday.