Rachel Out; Borel Back On Bird

Rachel Alexandra (second horse from left) holds off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to take Preakness, but filly will not be back for an encore in next Saturday's Belmont Stakes. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

After riding him to an improbable Kentucky Derby win and then riding against him to win the Preakness, Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird will be reunited in next Saturday's Belmont Stakes, as the connections of Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra announced that their filly will not be entered into the mile-and-a-half race that is the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Mine That Bird will now certainly be the heavy favorite to win the Belmont, with Borel on board looking to become the first jockey to win the Triple Crown aboard two different horses. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas accomplished this feat in 1995, winning the Derby and Belmont with Thunder Gulch while saddling Timber Country to victory in the Preakness.

"We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakes," said Jess Jackson, who owns Rachel Alexandra. "We feel the same." It is unknown as to when the filly will return to the track.