Calvin Borel is back on Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes as he attempts a unique riding treble.Borel won the Kentucky Derby aboard Mine That Bird then jumped on Rachel Alexandra to deny the Derby winner the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.After the decision by her owners not to run Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont, Borel was happy to be back aboard the Derby winner."Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Sta

Calvin Borel is back on Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes as he attempts a unique riding treble.

Borel won the Kentucky Derby aboard Mine That Bird then jumped on Rachel Alexandra to deny the Derby winner the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.

After the decision by her owners not to run Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont, Borel was happy to be back aboard the Derby winner.

"Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes," Borel said.

Co-owner Jess Jackson said it was a tough call, but he pointed out that Rachel Alexandra has had a rigorous schedule of five races and five wins since February 15.

"We will always put her long-term well being first," he said.

"And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh."

Mine That Bird will attempt to become the 12th horse to complete the Derby-Belmont double next Saturday and the first since Thunder Gulch in 1995.

Even though a 31st consecutive year will pass without a Triple Crown champion, this season has captured the American public's attention.

Television ratings were up as Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, and that came two weeks after fans were still buzzing over Mine That Bird's incredible win in the Derby.

"It may not be a Triple Crown year, but it's as far as you can get without having one," said trainer Todd Pletcher who will send out Dunkirk in the race.

The field for the 1-1/2 mile (2400m) Belmont, the longest and most gruelling of the three races, is just about set with as many as 10 three-year-olds challenging the Derby winner, including Peter Pan Stakes winner Charitable Man and several horses who ran in the Derby or the Preakness.

Mine That Bird is a son of 2004 Belmont winner Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid with a dramatic come-from-behind upset.

Also expected to run is Summer Bird, another son of Birdstone, who ran sixth in the Derby in only the fourth start of his career.

Nick Zito, who trained Birdstone for owner Marylou Whitney, is aiming three horses at the race - Brave Victory, Miner's Escape and Nowhere to Hide.

All will be long shots, but Zito isn't worried. Birdstone won at 36-1 and Da' Tara won for him last year at 38-1.

"We've done well in the Belmont, been consistent, so why not?" Zito said.

"I don't have Secretariat with these, but I don't have to. You never know.

Mine That Bird is definitely the horse to beat, no one can say he's not. Anyway, there will be a lot of birds."

Whitney isn't going to be left out, either. The 83-year-old Saratoga socialite has Luv Gov headed to the Belmont. Luv Gov was eighth in the Preakness for trainer D Wayne Lukas.

The barrier draw will be conducted on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).

AP