Should it really be a surprise that Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)?
Mine That Bird's Grandsire, Grindstone, won the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird raced in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and his connections mentioned some good points in their post Kentucky Derby press conference. The connections mentioned how they trained the horse to race in the Breeders' Cup because he fit the race, though it was a quick turn around from their recent acquisition of him. Mine That Bird had a good start, but faded in the race, as Chip explained he was not as mature as he is today. The goal was to prep and race Mine That Bird solidly through the 2009 3-year-old season, and to aim for the Kentucky Derby.
On top of the Kentucky Derby win, Mine That Bird's sire, Birdstone, won the 2004 Belmont. This means Mine That Bird has the distance needed to successfully win the Belmont. The big factor to face Mine That Bird is Queen Alexandra. Will Rachel Alexandra be racing against the boys by Belmont? Will she meet Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, or be asked to romp on the boys in the Breeders' Cup Classic?
A possible triple crown with the distance in Mine That Bird's blood? Tough to tell due to his latest running style of being a closer...the Preakness may not hold enough distance for him to finish strong. There will be new speed at the Preakness, and several horses from the Derby will be in their best form on non-slop track. Mine That Bird will try the shorter distance though.
A few extra notes to think about:
Mine That Bird is the first horse with odds at or above 50-1, paying $103.20 to win, since Donerail paid $184.90 in 1913.
Mine That Bird has an A++ pedigree, and was first bought as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2007 sale for $9,500.
Mine That Bird was later purchased privately for $400,000 (with Taylor Made Sales Agent assisting in the transaction) primarily to race in his home base of New Mexico.
Mine That Bird has now won five of nine starts and earned $1,791,581.
Mine That Bird made his first five starts in Canada, winning three stakes, the Grey, Swynford, and Silver Deputy. He was purchased privately by his current owners for $400,000 and sent to Richard Mandella in California where he ran 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I). He was the champion male juvenile in Canada where he was trained by David Cotey.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50588/borel-mine-that-bird-soar-in-derby-shocker
Do you think Mine That Bird could win each jewel of the Triple Crown?
Video Racing History of Mine That Bird:
Mine That Bird’s previous races at Woodbine are all on YouTube.
Aug. 4, 2008 Maiden claiming, Woodbine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMA2HC4s090&feature=related
Aug 23, 2008, Silver Deputy stakes, Woodbine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDql4BENE6E&feature=related
Sept. 14, 2008, Swynford S., Woodbine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsWB8e7K3GQ&feature=related
Oct. 5, 2008, Grey S. (Can-III), Woodbine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILYrdhaFP7s&feature=related
Oct. 25th, 2008, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Dirt
May 2nd, 2009, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Gr. I), Churchill Downs
---
Grindstone, 1996 Kentucky Derby
Birdstone, 2004 Belmont Stakes
