Mike Smith won’t ride Mine That Bird in Belmont

[the noise factor]

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is in need of yet another jockey.

Mike Smith, who rode the gelding to a second-place finish in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, won’t ride him in the Belmont Stakes on June 6 because of a previous commitment.

That means Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to a stunning victory in the Derby, could get back on him for the Belmont if Rachel Alexandra doesn’t run.

[EaglesLinc]

This is some of the strangest developments with jockeys in a major race that I have ever seen. I'm not quite understanding why, other than contractual obligations this is happening.