Borel picks up mount on Twice the Appeal

Twice the Appeal will be ridden in the Kentucky Derby by Calvin Borel, who’s won three of the last four editions of the classic (Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos) Jerry Hissam, agent for three-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning rider Calvin Borel, said Wednesday afternoon that Borel has picked up the Kentucky Derby mount on Sunland Derby (G3) winner TWICE THE APPEAL (Successful Appeal). Borel, who has won the past two runnings of the Kentucky Derby on Super Saver and Mine That Bird, is one of five riders to win the Derby in consecutive years. No rider has won three consecutive Kentucky Derbies.      In accepting the ride on Twice the Appeal, Borel will again seek success in the Kentucky Derby aboard a horse whose road to Churchill Downs wound through New Mexico and Sunland Park. Mine That Bird finished fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby prior to his 2009 Kentucky Derby triumph under Borel at odds of 50-1, the second-largest upset in Kentucky Derby history. Trained by Jeff Bonde, Twice the Appeal jogged two miles before the renovation break Wednesday in a steady downpour under exercise rider Nate Quinonez. ARCHARCHARCH (Arch) had some company Wednesday morning when he went to the track with jockey Jon Court aboard. Trainer Jinks Fires sent another three-year-old named Supreme Ruler (Don’t Get Mad) with his Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and the duo galloped once around at a two-minute lick. “It is a training technique to get them in the bridle,” Fires said. “It gets them competitive training together.”

Fires plans to run Supreme Ruler in a Derby Week allowance race.

“He is a pretty good horse,” Fires said. “I sent him to New Mexico (for the
Sunland Derby that was won by Twice the Appeal). He makes his big run at
the end and that day in the races I saw, there were no closers closing that day.
Where they were at the head of the stretch is where they finished.”

Fires plans to work Archarcharch work five furlongs prior to the Derby.

“I will work him when the track is suitable,” Fires said. “I probably should
have worked him (Tuesday). I thought the track was a little hard early in the
morning, but better after the break. But he just ran a mile and an eighth last
Saturday and he is where he needs to be.”

In other Derby news:

Barry Irwin, chief executive officer of Team Valor
International, notified Churchill Downs officials that ANIMAL KINGDOM (Leroidesanimeaux
[Brz]),
the 2 3/4-length winner of the Spiral S. (G3) at Turfway Park on
March 26, would train at Keeneland on Thursday morning and then van to Churchill
Downs that afternoon.

Trained by Graham Motion and to be ridden by Robby Albarado,
Animal Kingdom is scheduled to breeze six furlongs on Saturday in company with
Meistersinger (Yes It’s True).

Most Derby participants at Churchill Downs have had their workouts pushed
back to the weekend due to the continuous wet weather in Louisville. One horse
who has generally avoided rain the past couple of weeks, pre-race favorite
DIALED IN (Mineshaft), is scheduled to work at the Palm Meadows Training Center
in Florida on Thursday.

The next confirmed work for a Churchill-based Derby starter will be on
Friday, when Twice the Appeal and Spiral runner-up DECISIVE MOMENT (With Distinction) will take to
the track. Trainer Juan Arias said Twice the Appeal would gallop Thursday.