Bird Watching on the Big Screen

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

JoyJackson21 — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 19:53:52 GMT

This was a fabulous article on Mine That Bird, Steve. Like someone said in one of the posts above, Mine That Bird was let down by his humans. It sort of makes me angry on MTB's behalf that so many people let him down when he needed someone to be a champion for him or refused to put MTB first.

I can't wait to go and see 50-1, along with the movie about Canonero II, a horse who I heard about endlessly as a child, and was legendary in my home.

Thanks again, Steve, for printing Mine That Bird's journey in the Triple Crown races. It would be nice of he did wind up at Old Friends, just as Sarava did. It would be a nice honor to bestow onto a highly-deserving champion.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Cris — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:41:37 GMT

I went to the Preakness for Bird's try and Mike Smith admitted that he, not the horse blew it. I thought he would have a real chance with Smith in the irons during the Belmont because he now had a chance to get to know the horse and he knew the track already. I went to the WV Derby and he was a little lackluster there but the crowd was STO and the traffic was backed up for miles. I then read he needed surgery and he was mishandled after that so who knows how he would have done if things had not changed. He is a great little horse and would be a perfect fit in the Ky Horse Park. You just don't know which of his visitors out west will become a lifelong fan from a visit with that Derby winner. For a little horse he casts a huge shadow. Best of luck Bird I hope we meet again.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

ksweatman9 — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:05:39 GMT

Another horse that won the derby against all odds, not a 50 to 1 shot, but a horse that overcome a multitude of problems to even get in a starting gate, was Assault. Besides being an underdog who defied the odds his entire life, I heard he had quite a colorful personality. His story would translate well on the silver screen. I wonder if anyone will ever consider it? Each and every triple crown winner is special to the sport, and the sport is an intinsic piece of American history. I'm thinking mini series.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Andy Tuck — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:48:54 GMT

I am not much of a bettor, did bet $5 on Mine That Bird for the Derby. Everyone laughed, he walked to the starting gate like a "pony". The rest is history. I am still laughing. Love that Bird.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Wrensflight — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:03:12 GMT

Thanks, Mike Relva. Same back atcha.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

El Kabong — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:20:15 GMT

Great article, but then I am now partial to the horse who made me feel like I had been punched in the gut on derby day. I won't ever forget that nausea of feeling like I had blown months of research only to have such an "impossible result." But, you must live and learn. Mind That Bird, who to this day is constantly disrespected by handicappers, will always get the respect he deserves from me and I am glad you feel the same way Steve. He ran his heart out in all three legs of the TC and deserves to have his story told. Maybe he'll get the respect he has earned. I am looking forward to this tale being relived on screen.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Mike Relva — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:32:31 GMT

Intended to say both.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Delrene — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 03:18:28 GMT

Thanks to the reader that posted the link to the story about MTB re: his retirement in NM. Somehow I missed it. I love this horse and his grit. As someone pointed out, he won, came in 2nd and was a great 3rd. This horse ran his heart out and he deserves so much more respect. However, that being said, I know Dr. Blach is right across the street and loves this horse very much. I do hope he gets to be a pony horse . Having seen him at his home in New Mexico, he is living a great life. Go visit. You will not regret it. Just down home great hospitable people.....

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Warlaine — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 22:58:18 GMT

Looking forward to the movies until I see them usually,thanks to Hollywood's interpretation. Can't agree more that a Man o' War movie should be made with emphasis on Mr. Belmont and family influence on the TB breeding and racing. A great movie could be made of Battleship(son of Mow) the only American horse to win the Grand National and I believe still the smallest horse to win. The Brits like to refer to him as that U.S. pony. Dorothy Ours is coming out with book about him. Should be great. Thanks Steve for your story and updates and keep your fingers crossed that they don't Hollywood it up too much. It's not needed as your story tells it.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Mike Relva — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:15:54 GMT

Paula

Yes but of us were supporters of MTB when on another blog site the host allowed constant chaos to flow freely. Happy the host "called it a day". When you're short on talent, getting by on theater doesn't cut it.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Linda in Texas — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:58:08 GMT

So True Paula Higgins, i cannot wait either to see Zenyatta's Statue at Santa Anita mainly because she is still alive. Usually a horse is honored with a statue after they are gone. I am glad she is still with us healthy and thriving. With all of the unfortunate injuries to so many strong stallions, just reminds me even more how great her owners and handlers were to have her make it through the years she raced with NO INJURIES.

It would be ideal for her to be there for the dedication, but being in foal, not a good idea at all.

How about Old Friend's for Mine That Bird? He is a Kentucky Derby Winner and would have many more than 3 or 4 a week as he has in New Mexico come visit him.

Just a thought. Not my call. He deserves it though.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Age of Reason — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:31:52 GMT

Thanks for the correction, Love 'em All. It's easy to remember the Derby winners, but harder to remember one's Derby picks--particularly when, in the case of yours truly, my Derby pick and the Derby winner are rarely the same thing! Lol. I have a copy of Steve's book "Horse Racing's Holy Grail: the Epic Quest for the Kentucky Derby" in which I write the name of my Derby pick every year and, after the race, the place in which they finished. Talk about frustration staring you in the face. Anyhow, after digging it out of my bookshelf I remembered that my pick in '09 was Friesan Fire. Embarassing that a two-turn graded stakes winner by A.P. Indy (Friesan Fire) ran far worse in the Derby than an obscurely-bred future sprinter (Jackson Bend). Such is the nature of the game; and as I said before, "That's why they run the race!"

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Mike Relva — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 17:20:34 GMT

Paula

Exactly. Very happy that a certain blog site is no longer in operation. Getting by using theater doesn't cut it. My opinion MTB was used up, he need a rest. Also, transferring him to a trainer I don't respect was a mistake. One day I will visit him, considering it for the past yr.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Love 'em all — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 11:27:58 GMT

Age of Reason, Jackson Bend ran the next year's Kentucky Derby in 2010. Super Saver won that year with Calvin 'in the saddle'.

Sorry about your cousin.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Paula Higgins — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 03:54:09 GMT

ITA with everyone who says he shouldn't have left Chip Woolley. Mike Relva, if you recall, you and I were very much on MTB's bandwagon when a certain someone I shall leave nameless was running the little guy into the ground. Always liked MTB. As for movies, when they make one about THE QUEEN, Zenyatta, then life will be complete and I can die happy. Can't wait to see her statue at Santa Anita.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Agnes — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 03:40:18 GMT

I can't imagine taking a Derby winner away from his trainer nor can I imagine a jockey abandoning a Derby winner for another horse. Thanks for a great story - I love that little horse and think his humans let him down.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Householder — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 00:06:32 GMT

Ya got to love the working man's horse like Mine that Bird or Sunday Silence that can come in and thumb their noses at the "blue bloods." The poorly bred, the colts that can't sell, the hard luck stories (Sunday Silence's truck overturned due to the driver's heart attack and the colt nearly was killed). This is what makes the Derby so great! It simply can not be bought.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Linda in Texas — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 00:00:36 GMT

Some of your descriptions Steve had me laughing out loud like "two greenhorns from the sticks" where i live i can readily agree with 'them' terms. And Woolly saying to Figueroa when they arrived in Baltimore, "well we can't go any further, we're at the Ocean." I died laughing again. Down here where i live you give directions usually by telling someone just go down that road til you can't go no further, turn right then when you come to a fork in the road you are there. Steve, you are the best.

And i love Carl Nafzger finding Chip and giving him a little appreciation.

The sport of Bull Riding one of my three favorites and really anything Rodeo,(will any one ever forget Bodacious The Bull, to me the greatest bull ever and inducted in The Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1999.) Died in 2000 from a foot infection as the antibiotics caused kidney failure. Lots of little Bodacious's running around now.

And Carl Nafzger was inducted into The Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2008 was a great bull rider, one of the best. And as long as i am on the subject, the only other greatest Bull Rider was Gentleman Jim Shoulders. Happened to be in a Portland Airport eons ago and he was there waiting to take a plane to Dallas like i was. I had been to many a rodeo just because of him. He was kind not at all upset to be bugged. Even asked me if i had any boys and i told him 2, he took 2 wonderful 8 x 10 photos out of his leather carrying case and signed his name to a photo for each son whose name he addressed his signature to. I treasure those photos. Even my son Edward with Down Syndrome knew who he was. He is now no doubt with Mr. Shoulders. Rest in Peace Mr. Shoulders.

Nascar Racing and Thoroughbred Horse Racing are the other 2 sports that make me as we say down south, happy as a pig in slop!. Sorry for you easterners, we do talk different in the South West.

Even those of us with a little education. Just comes with the territory.

Just a great read Steve, i loved Mine That Bird from the get go and you published posts about my enthusiasm anyway even though you had not considered him as a serious contender. I love Mine

That Bird and have written recently how he spends his days.

I really think he deserves to be

where he can be seen and admired by many more who no doubt would love to.

Thanks to all the people who lived that tremendous story. It was real.

And love you Mine That Bird, that is a given. Pepper's Pride and Mine That Bird both from my sister State of New Mexico. Yippee Yi Yay!

Sorry ya'll couldn't help myself.

Now i will take my cowboy hat off and yes it is black and act like a lady. Just down to earth being born in the 40's! Hope i did not bore anyone. I just love good stories, great people and superb writers like Steve. And animals of all kinds!

Thanks Steve, i cannot wait for the movie. I wish you could get a part in the movie!!!!

Linda

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Age of Reason — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:15:30 GMT

I'd like to think that I will never forget any of the Kentucky Derbies I've watched live (on tv, that is, haven't had the chance to actually go yet), but I'm sure the 2009 Derby is one I'll never forget. I was actually out of state that day visiting a dear cousin who would later pass away from cancer, and though I'd picked Jackson Bend (go ahead and laugh, hindsight being what it is) the race understandably wasn't the first thing on my mind. Luckily, she had the television tuned to Derby coverage when I walked in that afternoon so it all worked out. I had trouble finding Jackson Bend going down the backstretch, so I gave up and started waiting for Pioneerof The Nile to put them away after a dream trip. When things got hairy at the top of the stretch I was trying to focus on the leaders battling in the middle of the track, then suddenly I saw somebody shoot through on the rail. For some reason, I thought it was Papa Clem (mistook one set of mostly-black silks for another) and as it turned out I wasn't the only one--ain't that right, Durkin? His victory was so overpowering that my uncle, whose knowledge of tv sports extended no further than SEC football, said at the eighth pole, "Well he's got it now, he should just coast." In the words of Nick Zito, "That's why they run the race!"

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Mike Relva — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:43:33 GMT

Wrensflight

Totally agree with your comments.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

BlueHen — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:36:57 GMT

Thanks for bringing Mine That Bird back to us, Steve! I loved him, thought he was awfully cute, too. :) I started following Dullahan because he's MTB's half-brother. Looking fwd to your article on Summer Bird, and to the movie. It's good that some positive horse racing movies are cropping up. Secretariat was really well-done, enjoyed Seabiscuit. Hopefully people will see the sport for what it really is, and not what it's been portrayed as in the media this yr.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

Dream7 — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:15:23 GMT

This is a great article on Mine That Bird. I love the story and I can't wait for the movie to be completed so that we can see it on the big screen. The two actors that are in the movie - Christian Kane ('Mark Allen') and Skeet Ulrich ('Chip Woolley') also starred in another movie together based on the 1800's American West called "Into the West". These two guys are no strangers to being around horses as they both have a love for horses. I believe that Mine that Bird should have stayed with Chip Woolley as there was no bond like this between a man and a horse. The love, trust and loyalty of these two was so great and is depicted in the pictures and videos throughout the internet. The story and movie of Mine That Bird will show audiences that even the smallest can have the biggest heart and be a winner!

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

nu-fan — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:56:18 GMT

I never tire of watching the video clips on HRTV about MTB and the story behind that race. Do have one big request to those making the movie, however: Please consider having Calvin Borel play himself. No one else can do this. He is far too unique and an actor would not do the story justice playing Mr. Borel. I anticipate that this movie will increase attendance at many racetracks--at least, for a while. It might bring in new fans who have never been to a horserace before. That's what got me hooked on horseracing. Saw Secretariat win the Belmont (so many, many years ago) but the movie is what brought back those memories. Got me up and out to Golden Gate Fields soon after. It might get other new fans, also, enthused enough to actually go to the races. By the way, love the fact that MTB didn't get sold and moved elsewhere but, instead, stayed at the home of one of his owners. This, to me, demonstrated great values and appreciation of the horse over $$$$$$.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

WildThing — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:42:13 GMT

I recorded and have kept the Derby show for that year. Sometimes when I need some inspiration, Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Les Brown and all the others just don't touch me the way a little brown horse and his hard-working folks decided to try for a dream. I was also humbled by their dedication to their fans by standing out the next day giving away the roses from the blanket to their fans. i was hoping a tradition may have started but was not to be. It did hurt to watch the Preakness and watch him closing on Rachel Alexandra, who was tiring, but he ran out of race track. The throat surgery did not help the rest of his year. I too had feel that a change of trainer to Lukas was not a good match. In an interview, Dr. Blach seems surprised that people still stop by to see the Bird or call to inquire about him. www.bloodhorse.com/.../mine-that-bird-relaxes-while-dullahan-works

With the upcoming movie, I hope that instead of using him as a pony on the track, they let his star burn bright for all to see. I don't think the Kentucky Horse Park would mind him staying there.

re: Bird Watching on the Big Screen

AndiDanceCO — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:51:29 GMT

Wow! Beautifully written! I love this story and can't wait to see the film! Skeet Ulrich is playing Chip and Christian Kane is playing Mark Allen. Here's a pic of the two that Skeet tweeted from filming in Las Cruces, NM: twitter.com/.../1