Never in history has the Winner's Circle of the Kentucky Breeders' Cup turned into a boxing match--but fists fly as a fight breaks out between horse racing jockeys Javier Castellano and jockey Calvin Borel, the normally good-natured Borel pleading with security to let go of him so that he could "kill" his rival.
It all happened at Churchill Downs after the very first horse race of the famous $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon—a lane cut-off later leading to a fist fight and ugly, chaotic and angry scene between the two famed racin jockeys, on hallowed “ Winner’s Circle” ground. Both horse racing jockeys are normally known to be calm and professional, clean riders. Tempers flared after a close move that nearly caused an accident for one rider, and a major slowdown for at least another.
While the Churchill Downs "Winner's Circle" is typically reserved for smiles and checks after the horse races, witnesses and the attached video footage of the argument between jockeys saw the spot instead turn into a scene straight out of “fight club” after Friday’s opening Breeders' Cup horse race completed. The 43-year-old horse jockey, Borel, waited for Castellano after Breeder's Cup Marathon finish—Borel extremely peeved over a mid-race move, during the very first race, where Castellano and mount “Prince Will I Am” had cut off horses ridden by Jockey Borel and Jockey Martin Garcia.
The severe, mid-race cut almost sent jockey Garcia off of his horse and onto the ground, simultaneously blowing jockey Borel's racing momentum. The racing situation and move were so severe that an inquiry was ordered only moments after the horse race’s finish. Castellano was waiting to speak to horse track racing officials but Jockey Borel approached Castellano, jabbing his right hand into the other jockey’s face.
At only 110 lbs, the shorter 5-foot-1 Castellano began swinging at Borel, who tops the other jockey by at least four inches in height, at about 5-foot-5 inches. Racetrack security officials tried to separate the two jockeys as quickly as possible, but to no avail. The racing jockeys ended up fighting and exchanging punches, literally, only a few yards away from where Marathon winner “Eldaafer's” owners were actually posing for a photo opportunity with the Breeders' Cup trophy.
Embarrassing to both jockeys, the mood for the start of the Kentucky Breeder's Cup was not a joyous one. Horse Jockey Borel’s eyes were literally bugging out and his face after the punches, he was so angry, while his skin glows a very deep shade of red. It took minutes to calm down and restrain the famed horse rider. Family members finally grabbed the jockey’s arm and were able to walk Borel back to the jockeys' room, where the argument continued out of view of cameras.
Horse racing legend Borel later apologized for his demeanor and outrage shown in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs, telling ESPN news that he and fellow rider Castellano had patched things up: "It's over. It's all good," jockey Borel told media. "We talked."
Video [included] of the jockeys’ Breeder's Cup argument and ensuing fight are going to be officially reviewed and--if officials find either jockey at fault—one or both could face penalties ranging from a simple warning to a suspension. Neither of the horse racing jockeys, both of whom are legends within their sport, has previously been officially disciplined for fighting--a very good thing, as clean records mean that both riders will be allowed to continue to ride at the Churchill Downs race track over the weekend. Jockey Borel has two mounts on the Kentucky Breeders' Cup card Saturday, with Castellano having six mounts on tomorrow’s 2010 Breeder’s Cup card at Churchill Downs.
Calvin Borel is a favorite horse rider at the Churchill Downs racetrack, a home track for the rider—the horse racing jockey known for his trademark, rail-hugging, exciting rides. The jockey is said to hold an uncanny ability of turning long shots of horses into actual race winners on the track. Today’s Breeders' Cup fight at Churchill Downs–and the fact that it took place in the “happier” space of the Winner’s Circle—is not only the first time in history that a fight between two horse racing legends has occurred, but also said to be completely out of character for the normally easygoing nature of both jockeys.
Only six months ago, Borel kept racing horse “Super Saver” tight on the rail on the track—the jockey’s favorite riding spot--to become the first jockey ever to both ride and win three Derbys in just four years. Jockey Borel almost pulled off a personal triple crown last year, in 2009. “Mine That Bird” won the Derby, when Borel then rode filly “Rachel Alexandra” to win the Preakness--before the jockey returned to ride “Mine That Bird” in the Belmont Stakes horse race, with a race track finish of third.
Horse racing jockeys and the act of fighting isn’t an unknown occurrence at the tracks—but "tangles" between riders is normally kept either on the racetracks themselves, or occasionally in the jockey’s rooms: the day is rare that arguments are actually brought into the typically-celebratory "Winner’s Circle" itself, any race track's most revered spot.
Experts say both of the horse racing jockeys Borel and Garcia had good reason to be angry after the finish of the first 2010 Breeder's Cup, opening race at Churchill Downs: during the first race, jockey Castellano literally moved into the path of Romp and Martin Garcia, causing the horse to stumble, and nearly causing what could have been a severe racetrack accident. Borel and “A.U. Miner” were jostled because of the quick move. "I had pressure outside me," Castellano told media. "I went for a hole [in the race track lane] and they said I took his lane. I don't know. I don't know."
For the first race, “Prince Will I Am” finished second behind race winner “Eldaafer” in the Kentucky Breeder's Cup at Churchill Downs. “Prince Will I Am” disqualified and placed 10th—“A.U. Miner” bumped up to a finish of third in the horse race.
While fists may fly in this Kentucky Breeder's Cup event, click the related URL link to access adn view separate video footage of Philadelphia Park and one of the most intense and heated fights in horse racing history--at least on horseback.
The related link shows video of two racing jockeys fighting, using fists and whips, literally while on horseback at Philadelphia Park. The two riders are shown actually exchanging punches on the race track, in early 2010, fighting during the race: "Divine Light" jockey Eriluis Vaz and jockey Ademar Santos, riding "Mi Helena", become engaged in a fistfight that turns to use of a whip.