posted May 26, 2008 at 16:55 in Triple Crown Betting Trends

Last year around this time the horse racing betting world was either in shock or elated, depending on which top three-year old you most favored, because of Street Sense’s loss to the brilliant horse Curlin in the 2007 Preakness Stakes. Street Sense looked amazing in last year’s Kentucky Derby, bounding along to a five length victory over Hard Spun. Curlin finished third in the Derby.

Two weeks later, Curlin turned the tables on his rival, beating the phenomenal Street Sense by a nose. It was Curlin who would end up the favorite in the 2007 Belmont Stakes. Curlin lost that race to Rags to Riches by about a head.

Calvin Borel, of course, was at home, watching the race on television. He won’t be home this year as Borel will most likely be the jockey on 2008 Belmont Stakes contender, Denis of Cork. That’s right, it is sometimes okay to talk about a horse other then Big Brown at this years Belmont Stakes betting extravaganza.

Borel rode Denis of Cork in that horse’s first two races of his life. In both races, Borel pushed the button at exactly the right time and Denis of Cork went into the Grade III Southwest Stakes undefeated. Denis of Cork won that race under Robby Albarado Jr., but then floundered in the Grade II Illinois under jockey Julien LeParoux.

So Cork’s trainer, David Carroll, made the change back to Calvin Borel and Denis of Cork responded by finishing third in the Kentucky Derby.

Now Borel, who has this undeniable penchant for taking horses up the rail to save ground, will be aboard Denis of Cork when the horse tries to upset Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes.

Calvin Borel, like so many other great jockeys, was born in Louisiana and learned his trade at the bush tracks in Cajun Country. He began riding at the age of eight at Evangeline Downs. Learning how to steer horses around the tight turns and through small openings at Evangeline has to account for the fearlessness that Borel has showed throughout his career.

Can the disappointment in Street Sense’s loss in last year’s Preakness be washed away by a Denis of Cork upset over Big Brown in a classic sports betting victory on June 7th in the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Maybe. Borel knows the horse well and Denis of Cork’s trainer, David Carroll, is an underrated trainer.

One thing is for sure, Borel will have the horse in perfect position, probably close to the rail, waiting for an opening and ready to make a move at the top of the stretch.

After that it will simply become a matter of talent. If the horse is good enough, Calvin Borel is good enough to get him there fist in the Belmont.

For More Online Betting Information On The 2008 Belmont Stakes Click Here!

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Belmont Stakes.