Find That Bird--a Win

re: Find That Bird--a Win

sremel9 — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:53:52 GMT

Okay I read a lot of throw out the synthetics and he didn't do well his two year old year stalking and whatever. Well if he staked his two year old year I say he did well. He WON his first four starts which, and I could be wrong, he was stalking in and, I know this for a fact, on SYNTHETICS and was the top two year old in Canada. He rounded into his three year old career so so then was incredible for the triple crown and did well one race after. Then he kinda went down hill had surgery and hasn't really come back into form. I don't think you can count out synthetics for him because of his two year old year but seriously maybe he's just done. I mean a solid two year old career and solid three year old career often spells no four year old career at all. And well possibly he just peaked yearly and now he's just, well, done. I hope we see him do well later on and seriously I think they should run him ungraded and just see. I don't think it would hurt his reputation and I know people will say well Rachel's connections and Zenyatta's connections are disproved of for that but really they should do what's best for the horse not what fans think. You run a horse where they can win and if thats a G1 then great if not well to bad but there isn't a lot of real material on MTB so let his new trainer play with him and see what fits him best and decide what to do. Maybe he'll find something great and maybe he'll end up dropping in class till he is retired but you know let them run him where they want and let them see what they have then and only then will we know where we truly stand on how MTB is and will be.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

justathought — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:36:04 GMT

I saw that someone else posted on another site a thought that merits re-posting: it seems MTB's "problems" started after he underwent throat surgery last fall....merely coincidence, or something more?

I think it is interesting that many people are throwing Rachel Alexandra under the bus for not running in Grade I races this year, and here the suggestion is that last year's Kentucky Derby winner should be pointed toward an optional claimer. Really, where IS the bar set? Of course, the common thread is that both graduated from 3-yr old to upper class competition. Just goes to show how difficult that transition really can be.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Lupe Aranda — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:01:30 GMT

THANK YOU AMY FOR STANDING UP FOR MINE THAT BIRD!!! YOUR STATEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! It is one of the saddest things that I see:when an athlete is at his highest he is PRAISED, when an athlete is not at his highest he is DISREGARDED...what sad people we humans can be sometimes! MINE THAT BIRD WILL ALWAYS BE AN AWESOME RACE HORSE TO ME, he does not have to keep on proving it to me!

Just a Horse Lover

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Lori — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:08:00 GMT

Casa, yes he did work with blinkers on and I believe Lukas said he will be wearing them in the Woodward. It will be interesting to see if they make a difference. I remember when Tim Ice used blinkers for the first time on Summer Bird for the Belmont last year and he went on to win that race plus the Travers and the JCGC. Also didn't do too shabby in the BCC. Hopefully it will make a difference for MTB also.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

casaNM — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:34:08 GMT

Lori, did MTB work w/ blinkers on? I wonder what difference these will make for him getting back into his races--mentally. He certainly has the talent...

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Amy — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:35:44 GMT

Eugene,

Yes, I am still learning about the horses. I stand corrected. I read this in the book about him.

I may be a novice, but we are important to the industry. Plus, the charisma MTB has, is amazing. Most people I know, mostly dog show people, don't have a clue about racing, but know MTB!

Again, I submit, MTB is very important to racing, as is Zen and RA.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

EUGENE LEVEY — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:38:44 GMT

AMY...I SEE THAT U KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS BUSINESS..MOST OF U ALL DONT..FOR YOUR INFO>> SEABISCUIT AS A 3 YEAR OLD HAS A RECORD OF

23-9-1-5 OF WHICH 6 WERE HANDICAPS

IF U CANT UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE THATS 15 OUT 23 STARTS THAT HE HAD AS A THREE (3) YEAR OLD.I WAS ALSO IN THE MOVIE. OH FOR THE YESTERYEAR & YES I WAS THERE

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Capella — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:58:47 GMT

Sherpa~

I lost my aussie/spca mix this past

may due to old age, tumors,and other illness. 13+ yrs.

I had to put the lock on the OUTSIDE of my 6' woodfence to keep her in the yard. Kelly was smart and very clever. Grace my standard

poodle rules! Age 12.5 and still the funniet girl (not a dog.)

Go Rachel, but if Zeny decides to run for president; I will vote for

her!

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Lori — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:57:15 GMT

Amy, I agree about the aura around MTB. There is a presence about this horse that draws people in. Did you all catch his latest work? UNBELIEVABLE! This horse proves time again he can outrun lightning....he most definitely has the ability. I see it was not Borel on him but Maragh. Lukas said it doesn't mean Calvin is off of him but I suspicion a change is coming.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

k sweatman — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:35:29 GMT

In response to "maybe this horse just isn't what people think he is" referring to Mine that Bird ofcoarse, allow me to say this, I saw MTB close the final quarter mile of the derby like a freight train. His time in that quarter mile was matched only by the great Secretariat. He ran most of the race blinded and choking on mud slop. I don't need to think about that, I saw it with my own eyes. It took something special for the little gelding to pull that off. Maybe Mine that Birds' problem now is between his ears, maybe he CAN do it and just don't want to. I don't have the answer to that question. All I know is the Kentucky Derby winner showed us what he could do, and maybe someday, when he's the longest shot on the board, he'll show us again, just for the hell of it.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Amy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:31:49 GMT

The naysayers should realize, that horses like MTB are the ones that captivate the public, from infants to those in their 90's! He was an underdog, and Americans love underdogs. Look at Seabiscuit. He was washed up at 3, couldn't even win a claiming race. Yet, his accomplished have been written about, made into movies, and he has become an American legend. MTB has the same aura about him.

The racing industry NEEDS heroes, as it struggles to survive.

Instead of constantly dissing these race horses, how about focusing on the positives, instead of the negatives?? MTB and the amazing story around him, gave the industry a big jolt of popularity.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Giddyup — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:04:52 GMT

So if the connections of RA or Zenyatta look for a soft spot to chase a win it is a travesty according to Shandler but it is fine for the connections of MTB?

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Judy Loves Mine That Bird (California) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:16:08 GMT

Jason! MINE THAT BIRD showed up for all three races in the Triple Crown! And you don't like 1-2-3...

Lori, I don't know you, but I love ya!

A big shout out to those who "believe" in MTB. John Henry (mentioned again!) would think your negative minds are unforgiving. I ditto that sentiment.

Let's see if Jason posts this comment, since he didn't post one of my others...I know why, too!

p.s. Quite frankly, I don't know how anyone could diss any horse. You get out on the track and give your life!! You rant and rave as if you're talking about a car that's a lemon. I feel SORRY for you!

re: Find That Bird--a Win

MonicaV — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:16:03 GMT

Jason,

I think you're right. Will sounds just like Tim G.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

fluke or no fluke that's the question — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:01:38 GMT

Will,

draynay....ooooops I mean Jason has a blind eye for two horses and MTB is one of them. What you say makes good sense but you aren't going to reason with someone so closed minded about one horse in particular.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Lori — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:57:12 GMT

Dr D, Will and Laz... my take on trying to defend MTB against the naysayers? They are programmed in their minds to NOT like him no matter what he has done or what he may do in the future. He could win every race going forward and they will still diss him for whatever reason(s). Wins are great but not every horse can or will win every race (okay Z being the exception). You also have to factor in total career earnings and with a gelding, that really is all you have. You don't have a stud prospect so it's all about how long can the horse race and how much money can they earn from racing. Look at MTB's career earnings. If you were his owner, would you be saying he's not that good as you were putting that money in your bank account? They paid $400K and he has made over 2 million. If that's a fluke who isn't very good, I want a fluke!!

re: Find That Bird--a Win

LAZMANNICK — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:51:08 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum

You're wasting your time trying to get through to some of these guys. MTB will no doubt shut their mouths up when he does what Zen does.....WIN.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Jason Shandler — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:39:14 GMT

Interesting Will, your writing style looks a lot like Tim G's use to. I think "Tim G" might have even written some of this same stuff in previous posts. Hmmm...

You're not going to change my mind Tim, I mean, Will.. I dont think MTB was ever that good. I dont care about 2nds and 3rds. Give me wins. He won one race over an off track with a jockey who owns CD. He hit lighting in a bottle in one race. Did he run well in the Preakness? No doubt. But RA had so much going against her that day--13 post, set a fast pace, etc. MTB had the perfect race setup.

He doesnt belong in G1s right now and was mismanaged from the start of the season. Anyone can see it.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Will — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:19:43 GMT

Yes Jason, but have you ever had a horse who finished 1-2-3 in the Triple Crown races and was closing like a freight train on the filly that you and others were saying was possibly the best 3 year old filly ever?

I think if you owned this horse you'd be singing a different song. I can see people who've never owned a horse dissing him for not winning but being on the board and earning over 2 million dollars, but a former horse owner?

Sorry if I think that sounds a little bit strange.

Why because horse owners know how hard it is just to make in the business now days. Every horse doesn't have to be a winner the fact is there is only one winner in every race. But to finish in the money and get a piece of the purse is great.

So according to you the drop of Rachel Alexandra into allowance company was perfectly okay. Not according to what I read on your blogs.

As for the blinkers? Calvin thinks they'll help, MTB seems to be losing focus a little, his mind wandering and he's not getting into the races like he needs to. Can't get that far behind against these handicap horses.

Okay, as for Dublin? He had a chip removed from his ankle. He may be back at the end of this year or more likely next year. Depending on what the exam shows later this month.

All anybody had to do was ask Wayne.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Jason Shandler — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:32:27 GMT

Dr. D: if you like the horse, that's great. More power to you. But to keep running him in these G1 races against QR and Blame is insanity and ashame. The fluke label is debatable. Fact is, he hasnt won a race since the Derby. 0-for-7. No getting around that.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:20:15 GMT

Jason

Maybe I am dreaming. I do realize that MTB doesn't have the dominating talent of a Rachel, Zenyatta, Quality Road or Blame but I still feel he is capable of winning a big race. Most stakes horses don't win a lot of races but pop up once in awhile with a nice Grade One win at good odds. I'd like to erase the fluke label that some have given him because it isn't fair. His Triple Crown races were tremendous. A fluke is a chance happening, an accident,an accidentally successful stroke as in billiards when a ball bounces funny and goes in. His Derby win was not an accident. He annihilated them. Your article was excellent. I have no argument with it but you have called him a fluke in the past. Both of the races this year he has been in, he should not have been in. He should have started with a dirt allowance and worked his way up, however at this point I would run him in The Jockey Club because it is his preferred distance, and hope that he gets enough out of it, and places high enough to move on to The Classic. If he didn't run well in The Jockey Club then I would not go to The Classic, but I would find an allowance race, or an ungraded stakes at 1 1/8 somewhere. You can't blame us for being fans of the little fella and of the amazing story of MTB and Chip Woolley in last year's Triple Crown. No, he isn't a world beater but he's still a talented and loveable horse. To me he looks good, and in his mind he's a champion. I just hope that he can go out and prove it, at least one more time. And yes, I do have a feeling that he will sprout wings again, and soon. Whether it is logic based or an unreasonable fantasy remains to be seen but no matter what happens I would never agree that his Derby win deserves the title of fluke. It was a magical moment that deserves a special place in the minds of race fans to be celebrated, not degraded.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Jason Shandler — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:27:56 GMT

Dr. D: Wake me up when that happens.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:06:47 GMT

There's going to be a lot of mouths shutting up when Mine That Bird wins another big race. Are you going to have the class to come back on and admit the error of your ways? He's just waiting for better odds so that his fans can get another big score. His win will be at 12-1 or higher in a Graded Stakes, probably 20-1 or higher. You have been warned. Expect an amazing performance in one of his next three races.

re: Find That Bird--a Win

casaNM — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:17:43 GMT

Curious as to others thoughts about Lucas putting blinkers on MTB....???

re: Find That Bird--a Win

Sharon — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:56:40 GMT

Perfectly put, Paula, my feelings exactly.