Belmont Stakes 2009

The biggest question in horse racing today is whether Calvin Borel will be the first jockey in history to win the Triple Crown riding two different horses.

Now, no one really knows what to think as Borel, back on Mine That Bird while Rachel Alexandra waits to fight another day, attempts to become the first jockey to sweep the Triple Crown on two different horses.

"It's what I worked for. It's all I wanted in my life," says Borel, who started riding competitively at 8. "I never thought I would have to do it on different horses."

According to Allan Carter, historian at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Bill Shoemaker is the only other jockey to approach a personal Triple Crown on different mounts.

In 1959, Shoemaker took the Kentucky Derby with Tomy Lee, missed with runner-up Sword Dancer in the Preakness and won the Belmont on Sword Dancer.

If Borel does it tomorrow, there should be some sort of trophy commemorating this feat.

In the meantime, not all turf writers think Mine That Bird will win. See the roundup at the link above and scroll to the bottom.