Kentucky
Derby Winner Mine That Bird Breezes
By Ron Mitchell - May 13, 2009 8:16 AM
Trainer Chip Woolley, who had said Mine That Bird would not have a
workout prior to the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), apparently
called an audible and breezed the son of Birdstone at Churchill Downs
May 11.
Mine That Bird, who posted a stunning upset victory in the Kentucky
Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked a half-mile in :49 1/5
under jockey Calvin Borel. His recorded fractions were :12.80, :25.20,
and :37 as he galloped out five-eighths in 1:02.80.
“That was no work for him,” Woolley said. “He didn’t flare a nostril
coming back. Calvin did a great job.”
Although Borel was aboard for a rail-skimming ride with Mine That Bird
in the Derby, he is committed to ride Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner
Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, if the filly runs in the Pimlico
classic.
“Calvin has first call,” Woolley said. “Mike Smith has agreed to be
the backup and he will be there to ride him (if Rachel Alexandra
runs).”
Woolley said he decided to let Mine That Bird do more than jog or
gallop because “he was getting a little too wound up. He went super
and looked good. We just let him finish the last eighth of a mile and
let him settle.”
The time ranked 17th among 48 horses working the distance.
Woolley, who has been treated by a Louisville doctor for problems
associated with a broken leg sustained in a motorcycle accident, said
he plans to let the gelding walk the shedrow Tuesday before loading
him on his van and making the trek to Baltimore.
Jerry Hissam, Borel’s agent, said the jockey thought Mine That Bird
“went terrific. He’s ready.”
After the workout, Borel immediately boarded a plane to Burbank,
Calif., for an appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” Tuesday,
May 12.
The winner of five of nine starts, including the Grey Stakes
(Can-III), Mine That Bird has earned $1,791,581. The 2008 Canadian
champion 2-year-old male was initially sold for $9,500 as a yearling
at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Present
owners Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine purchased him
privately for $400,000.