Fisherman always talk about the one that got away. Those who like to bet on horses might talk about the one they didn’t bet on.

I joined the second group two weekends ago when Teche Area native Calvin Borel rode 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird to a Kentucky Derby victory. Before the race began on that fateful Saturday, I told a coworker that I had $40 in my wallet and it made sense to bet $20 apiece on the two horses in the Derby that were 50-1 long shots or greater.

He told me to do so and even offered to watch my desk (we were on weekend duty) while I stopped by the local off track betting location to place the bet. Well, I never made it.

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We watched in joy as Borel crossed the finish line first. My joy for the upset victory was quickly sullied when I realized the $20 bet not made on Mine That Bird cost me $1,000.

My wife was out of town that weekend, and it would have made for a great early Mother’s Day gift to present her with that much cash when she came back.

But, alas, it did not happen.

One interesting note from the race was just how popular the event was to the television watching public. The Associated Press reported The Kentucky Derby’s television ratings were the highest in 17 years.

NBC said the coverage drew a 9.8 national rating and a 23 share, up 11 percent from 2008. The rating is the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program, while the share is the percentage of all TVs in use at the time.

I’m sure glad the nation got to see just what a local boy can do.

One interesting thing to report was that not every writer with The Daily Iberian was as cautious as I. Regular sports section contributor Mark Heitman told me he did find the time to bet $2 on Borel — a bet that paid off just more than $100.

“I was covering a NISH baseball game that day and just stopped by quickly at the OTB (off track betting) to see real quick, because I wanted to get home and write up the baseball game,” Heitman said. “I had more money in my wallet but I wasn’t about to put it all on a horse that was 50-1. I didn’t even know Calvin (Borel) was riding in the race until I saw it right then.”

When I asked Mark if he was upset he didn’t bet more money, his response was predictable, “Let me see. Well, Yeah!”

At least Mark is in the club of “I wish I bet more on that winning horse.” I and the rest of the horse racing world are just members of the “one they did not bet on” club.

Teche Area sports fans and the rest of the country will get their chance to see Borel in action again Saturday when he races in the Preakness Stakes. However, Borel may not be riding Mine That Bird. The local favorite might ride Rachel Alexandra, the Associated Press said. A final decision will be made Wednesday.

With Kentucky Derby wins in 2007 and 2009, Borel has already proven he is talented enough to win the biggest of races. With a little bit of luck, he could win Saturday and be one jockey victory (Belmont) short of claiming an unconventional and unofficial jockey Triple Crown.

Too bad he will not be riding Mine That Bird, which will be aiming for the official Triple Crown, something that has not been accomplished since Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed to all three victories in 1978.

Calvin Borel riding for a Preakness Stakes victory, now who would bet on that?

STEPHEN HEMELT is city editor of The Daily Iberian. He can be reached at stephen.hemelt@daily-iberian.com.