Elmont, N.Y. –  Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra will skip the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, freeing jockey Calvin Borel to ride Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion.”

“After careful consideration, we have decided not to run Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont Stakes next weekend,” Jess Jackson said in a statement issued late Friday afternoon on behalf of Rachel Alexander’s co-owners, Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick. “We have advised Calvin Borel, (Mine That Bird’s trainer) Chip Woolley and Belmont of our decision. We thank them, the media, and the fans for their many courtesies and patience while we pondered.

“We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakes — we feel the same. But all of us sincerely interested in the horse must agree that we only want to see her run when it is best for her. While she is in great shape, having strong works, and recovering well from her amazing performances, we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation.  Since March 14, Rachel has won four graded races with just two weeks rest between her last two victories.  We will always put her long-term well-being first. And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh.”

While Jackson declined to specify a next start for the three-year-old filly, he did say that she would make a start at Belmont Park this season.

Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to a stunning upset in the May 2 Kentucky Derby at odds of 50-1, took off the mount to ride Rachel Alexandra in the May 16 Preakness, in which Mine That Bird, under Mike Smith, finished second. With the filly skipping the final leg of racing’s Triple Crown, and Smith committed to ride in California next Saturday, Borel will now ride the Derby winner as he tries to become the first jockey in history to win the Derby, Preakness and Belmont aboard different horses.

Although he had received calls from a number of jockeys expressing interest in riding Mine That Bird in the Belmont, Woolley said he wanted Borel to ride the gelding and was willing to wait until the last minute.

“Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes,” said Borel. “I would like to thank Chip Woolley, and (owners) Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach for being so gracious and allowing us to wait for this decision. We also thank Mr. Jackson for letting everyone know earlier than anticipated about the decision whether to run Rachel Alexandra.”

Mine That Bird currently is training at Churchill Downs, and is scheduled to breeze there on Monday, June 1, before flying to New York on Wednesday as he attempts to become the 12th horse in history to win the Derby and the Belmont. Thunder Gulch in 1995 was the last horse to win both races.

Updated Expected Starters in the 2009 Belmont Stakes:

Horse – Trainer – Jockey – Owner

Brave Victory – Nick Zito – Rajiv Maragh – Robert V. LaPenta

Charitable Man – Kiaran McLaughlin – Alan Garcia – Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.

Chocolate Candy – Jerry Hollendorfer – Garrett Gomez – Craig Family Trust

Dunkirk – Todd Pletcher – John Velazquez – Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, & Derrick Smith

Flying Private – D. Wayne Lukas – Julien Leparoux – Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack

Luv Gov – D.Wayne Lukas – Miguel Mena – Marylou Whitney Stables

Miner’s Escape – Nick Zito – Jose Lezcano – Robert V. LaPenta

Mine That Bird – Chip Woolley – Calvin Borel – Double Eagle Ranch & Buena Suerte Equine

Mr. Hot Stuff – Eoin Harty – Edgar Prado – WinStar Farm LLC

Nowhere to Hide – Nick Zito – TBA – My Meadowview Farm

Summer Bird – Tim Ice – Kent Desormeaux – Kalarikkal & Vilasini Jayaraman

 

 

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