Calvin Borel - 2009 Churchill Downs - photo by SureBet

Borel to ride Sunland Park Derby winner Twice the Appeal

April 27, 2011 - Jockey Calvin Borel, winner of the Kentucky Derby three of the past four years, has found his way into the Run for the Roses again this year aboard Twice the Appeal winner of the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby G3.

Borel, who was incredibly still without a Derby horse just 10 days before the race, was given the mount Wednesday on Twice the Appeal, according to Churchill Downs.

Jeff Bonde, the trainer of Twice the Appeal, said once the possibility of acquiring Borel became available, a vote was put to the ownership group of Twice the Appeal.

"My owners had a vote, and that's what they wanted to do," Bonde said.

Bonde said he expected Borel to be on Twice the Appeal when he has his final Derby workout Friday morning at Churchill Downs.

Twice the Appeal earned his shot at the 137th Kentucky Derby by winning the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby last month as a 25-1 shot with Christian Santiago-Reyes aboard.

Two years ago Borel stunned the racing world by winning the 135th Kentucky Derby aboard Mine That Bird who ran fourth in the then ungraded Sunland Derby at Sunland Park, New Mexico.