All About Belmont, 'Bird and Borel

It is so on at Belmont for Saturday's undercard and the featured race they call the 'Test of Champions.'

The New York State Polytrack Initiative is proud to announce Belmont Park's accreditation as the third Thoroughbred racing track(Keeneland, Churchill Downs) in the United States to be officially recognized by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

This accreditation unequivocally seals NYSPI's position that the dirt surface at Belmont should be left in tact as it represents the final leg of an all-dirt Triple Crown trail.

Tracks that receive this distinction are held to the highest safety standards and are continually inspected, making safety a top priority that's been long overdue in horse racing.

However, NYSPI remains boldly pro-polytrack and/or artificial surfaces (Tapeta, Cushion) for all other tracks in New York State.

Note: See NYSPI's mission above in the header.

Getting back to Saturday's undercard, Benny the Bull is back like the Terminator and unretired to try and win the 6th race of the day in the Grade II True North H. sprint. Go get 'em Benny.

And getting down to it, let's talk about the most grueling race in the sport - the Belmont Stakes.

People who understand horse racing know all too well that the general public loses marked interest in the Belmont Stakes in the event that a Triple Crown winner is not on the line.

That's what a lot of people are saying, but it all depends on how you look at it.

If you didn't know, Calvin Borel was aboard Mine that Bird, the unheard of, written off, has no chance, gelded colt who won the Kentucky Derby on May 2. He was the epitome of an underdog in that race - the first great story.

Two weeks later, Calvin Borel, for the first time in history, without hesitation, hopped off the Derby winner Mine That Bird, for a girl named Rachel Alexandra.

She beat the 'Bird by one length to become the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes - the second great story.

Her owner Jess Jackson decided not to run Rachel in the Belmont Stakes, leaving the door open for Borel to get back on Mine That Bird and that is exactly what happened.

The fact that trainer Chip Woolley allowed Borel to take back the mount is a refreshing story in and of itself - he didn't let his ego get in the way.

Now, Calvin Borel can do something no jockey has ever done - win all three Triple Crown races on two different horses.

If he does, he will be remembered as the jockey who did it on his own terms - that could be an incredible story.

So, depending on how you look at it, there could be a Triple Crown winner at stake.

And if you love a great ending, even if you're not that into horse racing, there's gonna be one you can't miss tomorrow on ABC at about 6:27.