Calvin Borel
photo by Adam Coglianese

Dan Silver: I'd like to thank everyone for joining our NYRA National Media Teleconference today. As all of you know, the Preakness winner, Rachel Alexandra, will be running Saturday at Belmont Park in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose. We are very fortunate to be joined today by two of the people who are crucial to Rachel Alexandra's success, co-owner Mr. Jess Jackson, the founder of the Kendall Jackson Winery and the owner of Stonestreet Farms. Mr. Jackson campaigned two-time horse of the year in Curlin, including two wins right here at Belmont Park in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. We also have Calvin Borel on the call, the jockey of Rachel Alexandra. Calvin had so much confidence in Rachel Alexandra that he gave up the mount on Derby Winner, Mine That Bird to ride her in the Preakness. And his confidence was rewarded with a most impressive victory. Both Mr. Jackson and Calvin will be on the call together. So please address your questions accordingly.

Tim Wilkin: This is a question or Mr. Jackson. Just what were your thoughts on going to the Mother Goose? I think that was a race most people thought that she would end up in. But what were the final decisions that went into it?

Jess Jackson: Mainly her condition. She gave a brilliant race the last time. But the turf was giving away at the Preakness. And we thought she needed a good rest. Now she's tested, healthy, ready to run. And Mother Goose was always a prospect. And it's a nice place for her to return to New York. And her New York audience and the NYRA have been very supportive of Stonestreet Stables and Curlin of course. "

Tim Wilkin: Mr. Jackson you said after the Preakness that she would probably run against boys again. Is that still in her future?

Jess Jackson: Yes, I don't - I can't predict her health all the way through the year. But if she stays healthy, we'll try to pick a spot where we can compete with the boys. And if she's really healthy we're even considering a four-year-old campaign.

Tim Wilkin: So she could run against the boys before the Breeders' Cup if that's the way you go?

Jess Jackson: Yes. We're not inclined to go toward the Breeders' Cup. I have a very strong dislike for plastic surfaces. And I didn't believe she should be exposed to that.

Tim Wilkin: Could it be the Travers?

Jess Jackson: That's one of the prospects of course. You never know. You have to read the horse and see what her condition is before we make a decision. And it's a little bit off to set a full calendar for her. But we'll see how she comes out of this race. And we'll consider the best options we have.

Tim Wilkin: Great thank you.

Operator: Our next question is from Phil Janack of the Gazette Newspaper.

Phil Janack: Hi, thanks everybody for coming on the call today. I have a question for Calvin. You're going from - you're going back against fillies after going up against males in the Preakness. What will be, obviously it's not going to be a big field. What would be the main, your main focus on this? I mean you won't think traffic will be an issue with only, you know, three or four other horses in there. What will be the main focus for you when you're on her back on Saturday?

Calvin Borel: The main focus is to get a good race in, you know, for Ms. Jackson and (Steve). And just go from there. You know, and hope that she turns (carts) down and everything (inaudible) winner. The main focus in my opinion is, you know, get a good into her. And just go from there.

Phil Janack: Do you have, (Travel) do you have, you know, same kind of confidence going into this race obviously knowing what kind of filly she is and that she can get the job done.

Calvin Borel: Yes ma'am, I have a lot of confidence and like I told you all before, I think she's the best horse I've ever been on in my life. You know, and I don't go back on my word too many times. And she looked so good training out here, you know, at Churchill. I mean I watched her work Monday morning. It was unbelievable. I mean she is doing so good. And so we have a, you know, she has nothing to prove. But I think she's just doing better right now.

Phil Janack: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question is from Mike Ingram of BlackAthlete Sports Net.

Mike Ingram: Mr. Jackson, Mr. Borel, good afternoon, a pleasure to talk to both of you. And first to Calvin, I'd like to know if you're going to accept any amounts prior to getting on board Rachel in the Mother Goose at Belmont?

Calvin Borel: I really don't know yet sir. I think my agent said I had a couple maybe to ride the day before. But it really doesn't matter. You know, I know the track and I know my filly. And I know what she wants. And where we're going to be. You know, and I - it really doesn't matter. You know, but I think I'm going to ride one other - two other horses actually for (Ian Wilson) I think.

Mike Ingram: Well recently at Belmont Park in a race, the horse Phone Jazz dropped his rider Jean-Luc Samyn out of the gate. The reason I bring this up is because certain people in main street media, and I got a place to blame where it is on ESPN. Made light of the fact and turned it into a so-called comical event. We're just weeks off of what happened to Rene Douglas. And I think people don’t realize the danger factor that jockey's who I believe are the best pound for pound athletes in any sport have to deal with on a daily basis. And unfortunately, as much as Rachel has brought excitement back to horse racing, I think the moments that don't have anything to do with the big events like the Breeders' Cup and the Triple Crown races. Moments that are set aside for horse races are relegated to things like this that people misconstrue as comical when there's danger involved and the life of the jockey and the horse is in danger. Can you please comment on that Mr. Jackson and Mr. Borel?

Jess Jackson: Calvin, you go first.

Calvin Borel: All right, you want me to go first Jackson?

Jess Jackson: Yes sir.

Calvin Borel: Well, you know, I mean I'm fit. You know, I mean I don't understand exactly what you're saying. But I'm a fit rider. You know, I work out everyday. I, you know, I swim everyday. I mean and I work most of my horses every morning. And, you know, I mean Rene Douglas, what happened to him, you know, I think it was just a freak accident sir. It can happen to me, you know. It's a job. You know, and it's very dangerous. I mean we know that going in. And I know Rene knew going in. You know, I mean it can happen to anybody sir. I mean it's just like, you know, me getting in my car right now and I get down the road and get in a wreck. You know, I mean but it's just one of them freak things.

Jess Jackson: Well Mike, Calvin is a great athlete, as you know. Not only that, he is a dedicated athlete and does - and takes risks that a lot of riders wouldn't take. He can fit through a crack that most people wouldn't be able to go sideways. And the faster the horse runs, the greater the risk. Not only to the horse, but to the jockey. I agree with your comment. Pound for pound, the jockeys take the highest risk. And they also are the best athletes pound for pound. And they're - I think the entire racing community has to be cautious about riders that, not taking risks, but that ride very recklessly. And so I'm concerned that some day they'll be a commissioner or a league that would suspend reckless riding. Now that's not Calvin. Calvin takes a chance when other riders are still thinking about whether they'd take a chance. He's got the instinct to run well. And so that's why he's one of the very best we've had in recent decades. That said, it is a dangerous sport. And I'm not sure anyone should make light of the risk that jockeys take and the risk to the horses as well.

Mike Ingram: Yes sir. That was the only point I was trying to make. And thank you both very much.

Operator: Our next question is from David Grening of the Daily Racing Forum.

David Grening: Yes, question for Calvin and then a question for Mr. Jackson. First for Calvin, Calvin this is a one-turn race. All other previous races that you've been on her I believe were around two turns. Can you just talk about the different dynamic for her in a one-turn race as apposed to two turns?

Calvin Borel: It really won't matter sir. She puts herself in the race early. You know, we're going to go around the little bin. You know, and they, you know, it might go a little quicker because we won't be going around a turn. You know, but, you know, I'll just have to place her where I think she's comfortable and go from there. You know, I mean really and truly I think there's only going to be like four other horses, maybe three other horses. So it shouldn't be that much for her. And, you know, she's very versitable. So it really doesn’t matter sir. You know, I mean I'm just going to go and ride my filly with the confidence that I have in her. And just do my best job, you know, for Mr. Jackson and (Steve). And, you know, I - she's an unbelievable filly. And, you know, for me to go out there and not ride her with confidence, it would be stupid. You know, I mean because I think she's the best horse I've ever been on in my life. And if something does happen, I think she'll overcome it sir. I mean she's such an athlete.

David Grening: Okay thanks. Mr. Jackson, I know that everything depends, you know, her schedule depends on her health and how she's doing. But when you look at the calendar of the second half of the year, is there a race that you would like her to be ready to run in, whether it's the Alabama or the Haskell or the Travers? Is there a race that you want to see her be ready to run in?

Jess Jackson: Well the, we're looking at the prospects without having any certainty of course. But the Coaching Club, the Delaware Handicap, the Haskell, the Travers, the Alabama, they're all races we'd like to consider if she's healthy and ready. Of course that would require talking to (Steve) and (Scottie) and making sure Calvin is fit as well. So we're looking at races that give her enough time between races, but also establish her as the champion we think she already is. And running against the boys is part of that. At the same time, if we have two years of running together on the - and the team sees her in a fourth year, we don't have to be too concerned about the exact race we have to run in. I want to keep her as fit as possible so she could have the potential for a fourth year.

David Grening: And when you look back at the Belmont, not running in the Belmont, any regrets at all? And where were you Belmont day when you watched the race, as you saw it unfold? Was there anything, any part of you that said, you know, we might have been able to do that too?

Jess Jackson: I think she could have taken it. But I don't think it would have been the best thing for her career. Two hard races in a row, you saw what Mine That Bird did and he got beat because usually the Belmont is such a long distance. And there are so many new fresh horses coming in. That's what beat Curlin, a fresh filly, and the strategy of the racing. In Mine That Bird, he is a great horse. But he got beat by fresh horses. Fresh horses came in first, second and forth. So the Belmont is a true test of a champion. But in a way the fact that fresh horses shoot for it. And that just makes it harder for a Triple Crown champion to occur. We've got better horses these years. And we're taking individual shots these years. And so that makes a Triple Crown winner all that less likely.

David Grening: And to the last question Mr. Jackson, how much would you like to, or would you at all like to get in a race against Zenyatta?

Jess Jackson: Love to see her. But we're not, they're going to have to come to the east or to some other neutral track. I'm not going to run on plastic. The - we don't need to risk her that way. And you can tell that good turf horses run on plastic. We're giving the Europeans a great chance to beat American horses by racing on it. And so I'm hoping that we'll have some dirt tracks in California. Maybe Pomona will replace Hollywood. Maybe we can get some dirt tracks up north. Alameda County might replace Bay Meadows. If we do that, I hope they stay to dirt because we do need to race in California. California racing needs its stars as well.

David Grening: You know, let me just sneak one more thing in here. Is the fact that the Breeders' Cup in 2010 that's going to be at Churchill in the regular dirt. Does that play any role in your thoughts about keeping her in training as a four-year-old?

Jess Jackson: Yes, and I'd love to be there. And maybe that's where Zenyatta can meet us someday.

David Grening: Thank you very much sir.

Operator: Our next question is from Larry Bortstein of the Orange County Register.

Larry Bortstein: Yes good morning. Congratulations on the success so for with Rachel Alexandra. I have a couple of questions for either gentleman. Neither of you was present I assume on the day that Rachel Alexandra ran in Keeneland which is a synthetic track. What do you think about her - she won that race easily. Grant it, she wasn't beating top field. But what do you think about that race? And what do you know about that race on synthetic track and team?

Jess Jackson: Well I'll speak to that. I've raced horses on Keeneland and I'm disappointed with the results there as well. And she had no competition. It was a maiden race. She did it simply on her athletic skill. But with no relative competition, it was an easy win for her. It doesn't indicate anything about her ability to run against top competition on plastic.

Larry Bortstein: Yes, were you in that race Calvin? I know you didn't ride her. But were you in that race at all?

Calvin Borel: No sir. I just watched the (inaudible). You know, that, I'm just not a true believer in the, you know, the synthetic. I don't know, it just, it kind of messes with your head and stuff. You know, horses, you know, on the lead and 50, you know, 49, 50 and they can't keep going, you know. It makes you scratch your head sometime. I mean it's not a very, I mean I don't know, I know as a - at a gamblers point of view, it has to (hard). You know, because you can't go by the palm, or you can't go by, you know, it's just so hard to pick a horse to win them kind of races on the synthetic track. You know, like (street chance). That's the only time he ever got beat. You know, every time we'd run him on there, he'd struggle so much on it. And, you know, I just don't - I don't know. I'm not, I'm just not a true believer in it yet. And maybe if I rode on it every, every, every day it would be different. But it's very hard to ride.

Larry Bortstein: Second question, you know, Zenyatta is running also on Saturday. Are you guys, you know, since you two guys are - two horses are ranked 1, 2 in the polls, does that suggest that the two of these horses will be the leading candidates for horse of the year by year end? Are you following that race on Sunday, on Saturday out here at Hollywood Park?

Jess Jackson: Well I'll say yes I'll watch it. I don’t know if I'll be watching it live because we have to keep - get our Rachel in order and make sure we enjoy that race. Zenyatta could come east. She was entered at Churchill un-scratched. I don't know why.

Larry Bortstein: The weather - the wet track was that day.

Jess Jackson: Yes well there are dry tracks out here too. I would hope we could find a neutral forum to race this year competitively on natural turf. But I can't criticize another owner for protecting their horse and doing what's best for that horse. Zenyatta is a great horse. She's older. And one year older and a little more experienced. But she's monitored very carefully. I think they had about a five or six-month layoff before she came - returned to racing. That's good for the horse. And that's wise to keep her going. And the track fans ought to appreciate that the owners are trying to do the best thing for the horse when they do that. I would hope we'd meet. But it's not, if it's not in the stars then it's not going to happen.

Larry Bortstein: Do you think it's possible that Rachel Alexandra, if she remains undefeated for the rest of the year, would be horse of the year without competing in the Breeders' Cup? And what if Zenyatta also was undefeated and wins the Breeders' Cup just after lets say for example, what do you think would happen at that point?

Jess Jackson: That's too much guessing. Let's get through the next race. Thank you.

Larry Bortstein: Thanks.

Operator: Our next question is from John Pricci of Horse Race Insider.com.

John Pricci: Thank you for joining us gentlemen. A question for each, Jess I heard what you just said relative to, you know, planning ahead and thinking about the horse of the year at year's end. Now, you know, you've got the horse of the year champion for the last two years. Apparent - we don't know what's going to happen from here on out. When we get to that point in November, and the horse of the year is up for grabs. And it is between you and Zenyatta. Are you absolutely firm that unequivocally you will not run on the pro ride surface in the Breeders' Cup?

Jess Jackson: That's absolutely certain because if I'm going to run the fourth year, the Breeders' Cup is not that essential. For her, I just don't want to risk her. And you may think it's not a risk, but I saw what Curlin did and how he struggled. And I've seen four or five other horses that I've raced at Keeneland and on plastic, and they struggle. If it's a dirt horse, it's a dirt horse. If - (John Narund) is a good friend of mine. He agrees. When I took Curlin off the dirt and put him on turf, fine. You could probably recondition him, but it takes a lot of time. And he came second. On dirt he wouldn't have had a competition with the horses he ran against. So plastic prefer - favors turf horses. And I agree with what Calvin. You can't predict as a handicapper or as a gambler the outcome of a race on plastic. Speed tends to drop. They tend to run more European style in a pack. And then it's a last charge to the finish line. And you see horses all finishing in a bunch, three and four and five times. You've seen it over and over again. So to me it's an artificial surface. And add to that the fact that the artificial surface has been buried at different tracks. And so you get a certain result on one track. Then you have to deal with another composition of a track. It's, man's interfering with nature. The real problem is where breeding horses are more prone to injury. And by building track surfaces that help protect their life, that's a (notable) human concept. But wouldn't it be better to breed horse with stamina and distance that don't break down and run them on their natural surface, which has been what they've been doing for hundreds of years.

John Pricci: Thank you for that Mr. Jackson, amen to those remarks. Calvin I have one for you as well. You said that the filly struggled. That Preakness, the ground was breaking away from her. While you just recently got reacquainted with Big Sandy, and I guess the track was, you know, pretty tight that day since there was that water in it and all. But are you concerned that Belmont, when it does get loose on top, that it could adversely affect her performance the way the Pimlico track seemed to in the Preakness?

Calvin Borel: No sir. I don't think she'll have a problem with that track. You know, especially if it gets a little wet. I mean wet like it's supposed to, you know. I think the only reason she had a little problem in the Preakness is I think the man thought it was going to rain and he didn't wet it, you know, enough. And it got real heavy. And I think that's why she struggled a little bit. And she's such a big long, lanky filly. And when she digs in, you know, she digs hard. But no, at Belmont it's really, it's sandy but it's a harsh battle to hold to it, you know.

Jess Jackson: I'm thinking I add to something on that particular point. I agree with Calvin. Belmont's a great track. It's one of the great - best tracks in North America. It ranks right there with Santa Anita in its former days. Given that, I think Belmont, properly prepared for the race, will not bother her at all. Nice, big, wide turn, nice long final stretch. Only one gentle turn, that type of track is made for her. It's just up to her though. On that one day, if she's ready she's going to go. And I don't think the track will make that much difference if it's correctly prepared. And I know the Belmont crew and they're one of the best in the business.

John Pricci: Thank you gentlemen.

Operator: And our next question is from Art Wilson of the Los Angeles Daily News.

Art Wilson: Good morning everybody. I have a question for Mr. Jackson and one for Calvin. Mr. Jackson, obviously your dislike for the synthetics is well documented. Do you have a - and they all kind of play differently. Do you have a stronger dislike for the Santa Anita surface? Or are you pretty much anti all of them?

Jess Jackson: I'm pretty much anti all of them. I've raced horses on the Hollywood track at Del Mar as well. And of course Keeneland and I haven't run on all of them. But I've got to say that they all vary the normal handicapping and potential of a good dirt horse. And Rachel's a dirt horse. I want to keep her on a surface that she can enjoy and not risk the injury to her that might be occurring when you get that rebound off of the rubberized type of surface. And when you have a full field running, you're bound to have incidents of contact delivered or otherwise. And I just don't want to have her running in that kind of condition. If she's on a dirt surface with 12 or 13, you can see what she can do. The Preakness is a good example. So I know she's going to be safer on a dirt track. And the safety of the horse is a paramount concern I have.

Art Wilson: Okay and Calvin, you've ridden Rachel her last six races. And the last three have been particularly, she won the fantasy by almost nine. Of course she won the (old spire) record margin in her win in the Preakness against the males. Of those - of the ones you've been on her, what key was here most powerful? The day she just felt the greatest to you?

Calvin Borel: The greatest was probably the (old spire). I mean when she went into (old), she was right that day. And, you know, like in the Preakness she tried - she, believe me though she won by a length and a half. But we could have went another round and I don't think you would have had a horse get by her. You know, because I know when they're going to come and eyeball this filly. She's going to, she will make you choke before you get by her. I can promise you that. You know, you got to be ready. But the biggest race I was very impressed was, you know, like I say the (oaks). I mean there was, she was just unbelievable.

Art Wilson: Was that, would you say because the fact she didn't handle the Preakness track as well and she beat the (inaudible).

Calvin Borel: Exactly, exactly. I'd say, you know, the last quarter of a mile, you know, when it was time to go with her, you know, she was just doing what she had to do, you know. And I think she kind of struggled a little bit because when I pulled up, you know, that's the first time she was ever exhausted like she was, you know. And I know how she is, you know. And when I got back she was kind of like catching a, you know, almost like a (lay d stroke), you know, she had trouble so much, you know. And other then that, you know, then I walked her a little while and then put some water on her and she was fine. And I've been watching her go every day here and she's unbelievable.

Art Wilson: So would you say that in the Preakness, even though she had those - the problems and she was still able to win. Would you say that that was her most impressive win?

Calvin Borel: Yes sir. Oh yes.

Jess Jackson: I agree. This is Jess. I think she won that on raw courage and ability. And thank goodness Calvin was on her.

Art Wilson: Right, and my last question for Calvin, Mr. Jackson as you've heard has said there's no chance that Rachel is going to come out here to run in the Breeders' Cup. How disappointed does that make you?

Calvin Borel: Me sir?

Art Wilson: Yes.

Calvin Borel: Oh, I'm 110% with Mr. Jackson. You know, I mean, you know, it's his horse. And he's going to do what's right for the filly. And I can't blame him. You know, I mean how can you blame the man? I mean like I told him, you know, wherever he wants to go I'll go. But I know Mr. Jackson is going to make the right decision.

Art Wilson: Hey guys, good luck with her the rest of the way.

Jess Jackson: Thank you.

Calvin Borel: All right sir, thank you.

Jess Jackson: Bye Art.

Operator: Our next question is from Ron Flatter of Sports 927.

Ron Flatter: Calvin what did you learn in your first run on the Belmont track, anything that you can apply to this race?

Calvin Borel: I mean I had rode there before, you know, the only thing like I say, you know, it's a sandy track. It's a little deep. You know, and maybe this, you know, like I told, you know, told Jess when we come back, you know, I thought we had to deliver the horse a little bit fresher then, you know, going a mile and a half. You know, because they went so slow the first part. And, but other then that, you know, it's just a sandy track, you know. And believe me you, it won't hurt Rachel. I mean I think Rachel will run on broken glass, you know, because that's the kind of horse she is. But I don't think it will bother her one bit sir.

Ron Flatter: And Jess, I mean we remember last summer when there was sort of the shadow boxing that went on between you guys with Curlin and the Big Brown Connections. Do you anticipate the same thing could happen this summer with you and with the connections with Mr. (Moson)'s shares with Zenyatta?

Jess Jackson: Oh no, they're fine owners. And they've got a great trainer. Mr. (Sheriff) is one of the best. So, no I don't think we're shadow boxing. We're just being protective of our horse and saving her for the benefit of great racing and for the fans. The fans always hypothetically may project, and the media helps them, create illusions of a potential competition. But each horse has to be judged by its owners and trainers for their maximum effort. And in the long run, that's in the - for the benefit of the media and the public. It's great to have our heroes running. And I congratulate them for running Zenyatta this year. I hope they run her next year. And I hope we're able to see Rachel through a great campaign next year. So it's, don't - I prefer that people wouldn't hype the potential of a race like that. Just let the horses run, run to their best skills as the trainers and owners decide. And the jockeys will take care of them. And we'll have them around a lot longer. And that helps racing more then a one contest that might be damaging to either horse.

Ron Flatter: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question is from Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News.

Jerry Bossert: Hey Mr. Jackson, I'm glad that, you know, you're going to keep Rachel around another year. My question is when she does retire you talked about the super horse, you know, breeding her with Curlin. You know, they've been trying to breed the best of the best and hope for the best all these years. And he had six crowns, by Secretary, that of Chris Evert, both Triple Crown winners. You know, and, you know, you're just not guaranteed anything. What makes you think this will be the super horse?

Jess Jackson: Well we'll have to see. It's a genetic gamble. You never know. But the possibilities and maybe even probabilities of getting a distance horse are improved when you go to a distance sire with a distance mare. Rachel is a product of a distance sire, from a good, solid mare. And the concern I have with breeding has been that we've been breeding for brilliance at early speed and early distance. And then we retire them too soon. The long-term benefit of breeding will be when we have distance, horses that have run at distance, both on the mare and sire side, and campaigned through the fourth and maybe even fifth year. Then you know that you've got a horse that's got durability, stamina and distance. And it doesn't affect gambling at all. Gambling will be the same whether the horse is slower or faster. Breeding for speed has created these beautiful, muscular top bodies with less concentration on whether the durability of the legs of the sire or mare are of concern. I wouldn't for instance rush (Hot Dixie Trick), who just broke a track record under my (wife's) colors at Churchill, I wouldn't run her into breeding right away. I'd like to see her evolve to a two-turn horse with a champion and stamina for that distance. Even though she's brilliant, broke a track record, that is not the reason to send her to the breeding shed. And that's our philosophy at Stonestreet. And I hope others will join us.

Jerry Bossert: All right, thank you.

Operator: Our next question is from Ray Paulick of the Paulick Report.com.

Ray Paulick: Oh hi there, Mr. Jackson.

Jess Jackson: Hi Ray.

Ray Paulick: How are you doing? You've been a big proponent of racing better organizing itself to become more popular as a major league sport. But as you know this game is struggling. And in Kentucky this week there was a bill to add slot machines to racetracks to help the industry. And it was defeated by a Senate Committee. I know you've been very active politically in Kentucky, you know, with contributions to political parties. I just wondered, did you work in support or in opposition to this bill in any way?

Jess Jackson: I was for it. But I didn't work hard because...

Ray Paulick: Okay.

Jess Jackson: I was back working in California with our primary wine business at the point when it came to a head. And I didn't - when I support a political party or a given candidate, I do it so that they can vote their own conscience. And I look at the slots and gambling as a interim short-term solution to racing. I think the long-term future racing is best served if we could get together voluntarily, for a league, have a commissioner. Get uniform laws and have uniform enforcement across the United States as they do in other nations. And because of the separation of powers and the preservation of rights to different states that may not be happening, at least in a constitutional way, at the Federal level. So therefore I think it's incumbent upon the racing committee to themselves to solve that problem. Do it voluntarily. And have internal regulations and compliance the way professional golf, NBA, the National Football League, etc. do it.

Ray Paulick: And a follow up. You're racing in New York this weekend. But you're home's in California. And frankly the racing situation out there is in shambles. How concerned are you there? And are you getting involved in any way out there in trying to preserve some of these racetracks that may go under?

Jess Jackson: Well I'm, yes, I've been approached and I'm supportive of trying to save Santa Anita. And I would want to continue to encourage California to have a recovery. And I've been thinking about sending some of our mares and maybe even a sire to - back to California to get better breeding. I grew up in the era when determined and swaps were running from California with (collid) as a sire. And those were the glory days for California. And we've been a long way from that in a long time. That is partly due to the same problem, lack of good breeding stock and lack of solid, durable horses.

Ray Paulick: Thanks very much, appreciate that.

Operator: Our next question is from Brendan O'Meara of the Carryover.

Brendan O'Meara: Hi, this question is for both you gentlemen. You know, for the sake of imagination how excited would you be and what would it do for the sport to say the Derby winner, Preakness winner and Belmont winner among others, raced on dirt in the Travers in Saratoga this year.

Jess Jackson: Travers is a possibility, but it's only a glimmer of future consideration at this point. We got to focus on the race we have. And then focus on a couple in between if we decide to run her. And she's going to tell us whether to run. And Calvin will be a big part of the input. What she shows him in each race is a big part of what we consider.

Brendan O'Meara: Okay and Calvin do you have any insights into that as well or?

Calvin Borel: Well like I told you all before, you know, Mr. Jackson is going to do what's right for the filly. You know, it's a, we think she's - if you, you know, we can put our heads together and think she's ready for it, she's going to run it. And if he doesn't think she's ready for it, he won't run her. You know, I mean it's just point blank. You know, like I said and that's why I love him as a owner, I mean because he does what's right for the horse. You know, it's not just for him, it's for the horse.

Brendan O'Meara: Sure, very nice. And Calvin do you think you - do you plan on riding at Saratoga this summer.

Calvin Borel: Yes sir. I sure am. Yes sir.

Brendan O'Meara: Okay, very nice. And Mr. Jackson is Rachel going to be stabled up here this summer the way Curlin was the last two years?

Jess Jackson: We're going to bring a large part of our stable up to Saratoga. And we've got a look at Belmont as well. The do seasons at Belmont and Saratoga are part of our racing program. We love it here in New York and the NYRA has been very supportive. We like the media here, although quite often they try to create a story instead of a deal with the normal borings aside of preparing a horse for racing. But given that, the New York media is the best. And racing in New York is among the best. I hope we can restore it in California as well. The NYRA has been struggling in a lot of their gaming money, which ought to be going to the person to handle is going into gaming. And that includes Manhattan and that should be realigned so that Belmont and Saratoga can be conditioned better, get more purse, raise the purse for the horses. Raise the improvements at the tracks. I think the politicians should take a hard look at that and support the NYRA and its efforts to restore the facilities because they are getting a little bleak.

Brendan O'Meara: All right and lastly and maybe most importantly, do you plan on treating the press box with any of that delicious wine of yours as you did on the Jockey Club?

Jess Jackson: If I could find some. You know, getting wine into New York, we have to go through our distribution system. And although I'd like to bring it in, I'll have to find some. But yes, I appreciate the sports fans who drink wine to enjoy our wine as well.

Brendan O'Meara: All right well cheers and thank you very much.

Jess Jackson: You're welcome.

Operator: Our next question is from Steve Bailey of Thoroughbred Times.

Steve Bailey: Yes hi Mr. Jackson. I was just reading the (diary) notes about Rachel Alexandra arriving at Belmont Park. And I saw something I hadn't seen in a release about it. It said the Stonestreet Stable security team, and I know you guys started that when Curlin kind of had a little bit of extra security for Curlin. I'm wondering what went into the decision for that? Is it something just to keep the horse more comfortable because of the amount of fans that would possibly come by the barn? Or does it have something to do with things that have happened in the past with, that might have happened in the barns, maybe medication positive that people we’re sure about? What went into the decision to have your own security team for the horses?

Jess Jackson: Well you have to be, someone like me who has seen the disasters of happening to say Farlap in a barn off track, off premises but still highly suspicious circumstances for his death. I - there are influences that you have to protect against in the industry and also so crazy people once in a while. And so you want to protect your horse. Make sure that she's not exposed to mal intent. And so we want to protect our horse. And that's also I'm pretty outspoken about changing the rules and the ethics of the industry as you probably know.

Steve Bailey: Right.

Jess Jackson: And so I don't want my horse to be the target of some malicious activity as well. So I added security because I thought it's the right thing to do for the horse and to protect racing. And help elevate a champion and continue to race her or him.

Steve Bailey: Okay thank you very much.

Operator: And our next question is from Jason Shandler of Bloodhorse Publications.

Jason Shandler: Mr. Jackson, how are you doing?

Jess Jackson: Good Jason.

Jason Shandler: You mentioned the Coaching Club, the Haskell, the Travers, the Alabama, a bunch of different possibilities for Rachel. Assuming she's sound, doing very well and timing wise, which of those races, you know, would you say you're most likely to point towards?

Jess Jackson: To get in - it's always refaced with if she's in shape. But I'd love to run her in the Travers. I'd love to run her at the Delaware Handicap. I'd love to run her in the Alabama. But many of these are two tight for her to run at all of them. And so we have to look at all these races and see which is best suited for her at her state of condition at that point and time. Of course there's more money in some of them then in other races. And so they would be - I'd be inclined to try to race her there if she's fit. I think she can recover quickly. We'll see. She ran, I don't know, how many races in a very short time with two and three week intervals. I think she ran several for Calvin when she only had an average of 2 1/2 weeks between February and the Preakness. So she can recover. I just want to make sure she's in top shape and fresh when we run.

Jason Shandler: Thank you.

Operator: At this time I'd like to turn the call back over to Mr. Dan Silver for closing comments.

Dan Silver: I’d like to once again thank everyone for being here. I have one other question for Mr. Jackson and Calvin. Was just curious when both of you gentlemen are expecting to arrive at Belmont Park for this weekend's race?

Jess Jackson: Well I'm already in New York. And I'll be out to see her before she runs. Calvin, I don't know when he's going to come. It's up to him.

Calvin Borel: I'll be their Saturday morning. I'll be there.

Jess Jackson: That would be great. So we'll be watching here. And you know, (Scottie Blasi) is out there taking very good care of her. And her companions are the same ones that Curlin had as well. So we're, the team is already assembled. And we'll just wait for Calvin and have a good time Saturday.

Dan Silver: That sounds great. I'd like to thank everyone for being on the call, especially Mr. Jess Jackson and Calvin Borel as I know that both of you have very busy scheduled. We certainly appreciate you taking some time out of those schedules to join us. We look forward to seeing everyone here at Belmont Park on Saturday for the Mother Goose.

Operator: Thank you.

Calvin Borel: Thank you very much.

Jess Jackson: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you for your participation.

Calvin Borel: Okay Jess, bye.