Super Saver will move on to Triple Crown bid

May 3, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

lOUISVILLE, Ky.

Calvin Borel boldly predicted he’s going to win the Triple Crown after Super Saver sloshed to a 21/2-length victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Ever-cautious trainer Todd Pletcher sure likes the rail-hugging rider’s confidence.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a jockey come to the paddock more focused,” he said Sunday. “I would equate it to someone coming out for a heavyweight fight. He was so in the zone and pumped up. Didn’t have much to say, but you could just see the intensity on his face. He was revved up.”

So was Pletcher, at least in his own quiet way, after watching alone on television as Borel stole away in his customary spot along the rail and went on to win for the third time in four years Saturday.

“A lot of guys you look at and they’re closest to the fence, but they’re not on the rail,” Pletcher said. “When he gets there, he’s scraping paint.”

The win ended his 0 for 24 skid in the Derby.

“This is wonderful, but you kind of start thinking about moving forward and what the next plans are and how you’re going to get there,” the trainer said after ducking out of a drenching rain with his perfectly coifed head of gray hair intact.

Heavy rain pelted the track for a second straight day, forcing Super Saver to stay inside his barn, where he walked in circles after coming out of the 11/4-mile race in good shape.

Pletcher plans to keep Super Saver at Churchill Downs for training before shipping him to Pimlico four days ahead of the May 15 Preakness.

“The colt is peaking right now at the right time,” Borel said after the race. “This colt might just get better.”

Last year, Borel won the Preakness aboard filly Rachel Alexandra, beating Mine That Bird, whom he rode to victory in the Derby. Borel returned to Mine That Bird for the Belmont, where they finished third as the 6-5 favorite.

“We’re going to win the Triple Crown this year,” he said.