Saratoga Race Course is the perfect setting for “The Sport of Kings” and ever since jockey Calvin Borel arrived, he has felt like royalty.

“It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” said the Kentucky Derby winning jockey of his first full-time Saratoga season. “It’s awesome. The way the fans love the riders is amazing. I feel like a king.”

Borel charmed America after winning the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and the 2007 Kentucky Derby with Street Sense. The romance has continued as Street Sense won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy here on July 20 and will likely be the overwhelming favorite for the meet’s biggest race -- the 138th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers, presented by New York Lottery. The 1 ¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby” is the oldest stakes race for three-year-olds in this country and will be run on Saturday, August 25. Having Street Sense is why Borel, a Louisiana native, chose to ride in upstate New York this summer.

After Street Sense’s 1 ½-length Jim Dandy victory, Borel guided the Carl Nafzger-trained colt into the winners’ circle. The Saratoga fans, which had bet the son of Street Cry to 1-5, gave the pair an astounding ovation.

“It was unbelievable,” Borel said. “You can’t describe the emotions. It felt like winning the Derby again. The fans were great, and the crowd plays a big role at Saratoga.”

Street Sense was the first Derby winner to race at Saratoga as a three year old since Thunder Gulch in 1995, and is looking to be the 10th horse to ever win both the Kentucky Derby and the Travers. The fans certainly adore Street Sense and, as a result, Borel has become a celebrity.

After winning the Kentucky Derby, Borel was a guest at the White House for a white-tie dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth II. Recently, he won ESPN’s 2007 ESPY award as outstanding jockey.

One of the unique things about Saratoga is that unlike most tracks, jockeys at Saratoga actually walk through the crowd to get to the paddock before the race, and walk through the crowd to get to the jockeys’ room after a race. This creates an intimate atmosphere and has allowed Borel to really connect with his ever-growing fan base.

“I love the people here,” said Borel, wearing a blue robe and holding a program. “You wouldn’t imagine the people that love me. It makes me feel so good. I’m a good guy and I try to sign all the autographs and try to talk to them as much as I can.”

Fans constantly swarm Borel before and after each race, and it is common to see him lending his time signing autographs for the crowds of young children and fans that follow him. Borel’s kind nature has only added to his popularity and fans have taken notice.

“You don’t meet people like him everyday,” said longtime racing fan Steven Phgersztoff, while waiting outside the jockeys’ room. “He is such a nice guy and he wins. He is very appreciative and loves it. He doesn’t take anything for granted.”

With wins in the Jim Dandy and Sword Dancer,
Calvin Borel is basking in the glow of a Saratoga summer.

Borel certainly isn’t taking the success he is having this meet for granted.

“I always heard it was nice in Saratoga, but that it was tough,” Borel said. “I came in with the right horses and Carl Nafzger wanted me to come with Street Sense and the filly, Lady Joanne. That helped a lot, especially since they both won. I came here with the impression that I’d ride the big horse and ride a couple horses here and there and I won some already so I’m doing super good. I can’t complain or ask for a better meet.”

Lady Joanne won the Banshee Breeze Stakes at Saratoga on July 30.

In addition to those two stakes wins early in the meet, Borel’s meet got that much sweeter when he guided 15-1 long shot Grand Couturier to victory in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational.

“It’s another Grade 1; it’s what every jockey dreams of,” Borel said. “Right now, I have the cake and I’m just putting the icing on top. It’s wonderful to be here, riding a few horses and winning these types of races.”

Borel’s demeanor and approach to racing helped him get the mount on Grand Couturier in the first place. In true Borel style, “Bo-Rail” took the inside route to victory.

“Calvin was a natural choice to ride,” Grand Couturier’s trainer Bobby Ribaudo said. “My horse’s recent form wasn’t too good and in order to get a good rider with some time for some preparation, he was a natural fit. Calvin was just as excited as we were about it and it worked out great. He gave a terrific ride.”

As of August 17, Borel has five wins at Saratoga, three of which came in stakes races. Since he has multiple stakes wins and has the premier horse of the meet in Street Sense, Borel has gotten unprecedented fan attention.

After his win in the Sword Dancer, the 40-year-old jockey was outside the jockeys’ room signing autographs and posing for pictures with his fans. His smiles were genuine and fans from all over were supportive of Borel.

“He’s from Louisiana and we used to follow him there,” said Brian Buono, who was one of the fans posing for pictures with Borel. “He is a great guy. He is up here and he is having a great time. He is very nice, too. He was just out here taking pictures with everybody. He’s the Kentucky Derby winner. People should be paying to get a picture with him. He is just a great guy. He’s great for the sport.”

Borel’s graciousness with the fans has been boundless. Admirers like 9-year-old Lauren and 11-year-old Jessie Burchiol have been delighted by Borel’s kindness.

Borel signed autographs for them following a race, and after he had signed hats for the girls, their father bent down and said, “There’s goes the Kentucky Derby winning jockey.”

Nowhere else but Saratoga could the fans get so close to the action.

The girls then smiled.

Like a king followed by a crowd, Borel continued into the jockeys’ room, signing autographs every step of the way.