Three-time
Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel will begin the 123rd Fall Meet at
Churchill Downs just 14 victories shy of the 5,000 career-win milestone and the
Louisiana native, who will turn 46 on Nov. 7, is confident he’ll reach the mark
this meet at the site of his three most important victories.
“It
would be really special to get it here (at Churchill Downs) because of what
I’ve accomplished here,” Borel said. “I want to get it here and I think we’ll
get it here.”
With
14 more trips to the winner’s circle, Borel will become just the 26th rider to reach the
5,000-win mark. The rarity of such an achievement is not being taken lightly by
Borel.
“It
means a lot and it’s a big accomplishment,” Borel said. “I’ve been very
fortunate. Throughout my career I’ve won races I never dreamed I would win and
I never thought I’d win 5,000 races. It’s going to be very exciting, especially
as I get closer to it.”
Borel,
who has recorded 1,115 wins at Churchill Downs and is the second all-time
leading rider at the Louisville track behind Pat Day (2,482), has averaged 19.6
victories per Fall Meet over the last five years.