Calvin Borel, the Jimmy Johnson of Horse Racing

Comparing horse and car racing may seem silly, but being a Southern Girl myself, I see the connections. First, both sports are products of the south. In Colonial Days horse racing was extremely popular from the earliest days of the straight quarter-mile tracts and Banker ponies. The colonists had two favorite pastimes, of which North Carolina was especially passionate – drinking whiskey and racing horses. Then came the automobile and prohibition resulting in stock car racing.

So, these two names have a connection as men of passion for their sports – Southern Sports, who both knew at a very early age what they were destined to do.

Calvin Borel began riding in match races at the tender age of eight. From his hometown in Catahoula, Louisiana he next began professional racing at Delta Downs. His career steadily climbed until he won the Derby in 2007, again in 2009 and then again he brought Super Saver across the finish line to his third derby win. Calvin Borel is the only jockey so far to claim three Kentucky Derby Wins.

He is also the only jockey thus far to win two of the jewels of the Triple Crown on different mounts, that also in 2009. He now lives in Kentucky and was the recipient of the 2010 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

Jimmy Johnson, born in California, also began racing at a very early age. He raced 50cc motorcycles when just five years old, then won the 60cc Class Championship when he was eight. He grew up to race cars, beginning with Nelson and Nelson Racing. His career gained momentum until he joined the American Speedway Association in 1998 and was named Rookie of the Year. From there it was full speed ahead as he also joined NASCAR. Nicknamed “Superman” he drives the 48 car owned by Rick Hendrick and teammate Jeff Gordon. Jimmy Johnson is the first driver to win four consecutive Sprint Cup Series Championships. The Associated Press named him 2009 Athlete of the Year.

There you have it, two men who knew from boyhood what they wanted to do with their lives, and have done it very well.