Kentucky Derby winner Borel still without a ride

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel is looking for a ride two weeks out from the Run for the Roses, but hopes to have a mount by race day.

Borel spent Sunday morning aboard Stay Thirsty, but said there was no commitment with trainer Todd Pletcher to ride the horse in the Derby. Borel said he was simply doing a favor for Pletcher. Borel and Pletcher teamed up last year for a win with Super Saver, the jockey's third victory in the race in four years.

Stay Thirsty and Borel worked along the rail with Bridgetown, a 4-year-old sprinter expected to run in the $100,000-added Twin Spires Turf Sprint. Stay Thirsty stuck his neck in front near the finish line and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.

"We leaned on him a little bit this morning. I told Calvin we wanted a good, solid work and I think we got that," Pletcher said. "So we'll see how he responds to that this week, and we might have a similar a similar-type work next week."

The track had water on it courtesy of the steady rain that fell during the workout, but Borel said the wet surface was not an issue for him or Stay Thirsty.

"I'm not much of a fan of the lightning, but other than that I thought the track was good," he said. "This track gets better when it rains. I love it when it rains here — it tightens it up and gets it good. You can't fault the track."

Pletcher said he and Borel haven't discussed Stay Thirsty's mount for the Kentucky Derby. Ramon Dominguez was aboard Stay Thirsty for his win in the Gotham and his disappointing run in the Florida Derby. Borel does not yet have ride for Derby 137.

Borel expressed confidence that he'll find a way to stay occupied on Derby Day at Churchill Downs.

"I'll ride something," said Borel. "This is how it goes — that's horse racing. We'll find one."