The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

Quinnbit — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 23:41:25 GMT

A wonderfully written story Mr Haskin.

Thank you.

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

Jerry Turner — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:50:22 GMT

The only problem i see with the article is that Woolley was from Dalhart, TX. My wife went to school with his little brother.

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Shane — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:09:50 GMT

I can attest to the truth of Carter's statements about Doc Blach testifying in favor of opening a horse slaughter plant not far from where Mine That Bird was stabled. Here is the link documenting the proof of his testimony equinewelfarealliance.org/.../valley_meat_1.PDF

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

chandler — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:22:17 GMT

Carter has been spewing her story all over the internet on every site about MTB. Get over it. 50 to 1 The Movie will go on whether she likes it or not. Thanks Bigtex and all those who support this little horse with the big heart.

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

nohorseslaughter Ortiz — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:53:53 GMT

I agree with Carter. Carter is NOT putting down MTB at all. The fact is that this article brings out the 1/2 owner Mark Allen's troubles, yet never mentions Dr. Leonard Blach's Pro horse slaughter stance. And BTW, Mark has come out on TV stating he is against horse slaughter. Carter has a racetrack history, as do I. I worked for Laz Barrera, my ex was asst trainer and saddled Affirmed for his Triple Crown win in the Belmont. Thank God MTB won the Derby and got all of this attention. Otherwise, being a gelding, he might have been going where no horse wants to go. Anyone remember Ferdinand? The movie is probably great but I'm one not going. I won't put a dime in a Pro slaughter vet/thoroughbred owners pocket. And I live in Roswell too.

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

chandler — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:14:13 GMT

This is the REAL story. It happened in 2009. That's what this is all about . A story for his fans to comment on this wonderful horse. NOTHING MORE !!!

re: The Real Story Behind the '50-1' Shot

Delrene — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:02:36 GMT

THANK YOU so much for reminding me again why I just love this horse and hope the movie finds its way to San Diego or at least close by. My picks were the two "Birds" as I just thought Summer Bird had two very nice sons in the derby in 2009. One a real looked and one as you say, a small horse in a plain brown wrapper. Once I saw the jockey, that brought me up to really pay attention. What a ride, what a victory, what a triple crown effort. Plus I followed the ride even further and went to visit him in NM as his beautiful ranch home on MTB DAY IN NEW MEXICO. He was such a character and looked so great in the post parade at Ruidoso. He had quite a campaign and he ran his heart out. What do I know? Not much about horseracing, but I know that he will always and forever have a place in my heart along with so many others who have such fire and charisma. The following year at the BC in Santa Anita, I ran into Chip. He was there just enjoying himself. No horses entered as I asked him, because I would have put a bit of money on any of them. He loved that horse so much. Thank you for your inside story.

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Terry M. — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:43:35 GMT

I remember posting on Facebook before the Derby, "If the track comes up muddy, watch out for Mine That Bird." He was a favourite of mine after watching him run at two (thanks to television). I honestly believe jockey errors cost him the Preakness and Belmont. After going to Lukas, he seemed to lose all of his confidence. He wasn't given one easy race to get it back, and that was the end. He deserved better.

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Back Home in LA — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:05:21 GMT

Nobody tells a better story than you, Steve! You have the writer's gift of drawing your readers into the black printed words and suddenly the reader becomes one with your story, traveling back into a time warp, totally absorbed by your words. The story never seems long enough when it is a good one. Well done, Steve, and thank you for sharing Mine That Bird's story with us. It was such a great race to watch, with Calvin and MTB flying up the rail and the race caller not even catching it. I kept thinking oh my gosh, who is this horse, and Calvin Borel is on him. Who doesn't love the long shot, the little known people, who once again remind us that dreams can come true.

I met Mine That Bird at the KY Derby Museum last year. He had been out with the resident mini, Winston, on lead eating grass and the attendant stopped to let us take photos and talk to him. MTB was a ham, loved all the attention and showed off by grabbing Winston's lead rope and trying to lead him back to the barn. Chip Woolley was standing in the museum lobby, black hat, jeans and boots, and after I confirmed his identity with the lobby desk, I went to talk to him and get my photo with him. He was a regular guy, humble, but enjoyed being recognized and respected for what was his dream come true. No one who watched that race on tv will ever forget it, and those who were lucky enough to have bet on MTB will never forget him either!

re: The Real Story Behind the "50-1" Shot

TripleCrownKaren — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 20:35:24 GMT

Once again Steve.....you brought it ALL back again better than any movie ever will! I rooted for this horse and his connections because of their "humble" beginnings. This "plain brown horse" puts me in mind of another "media" darling from many, many moons ago....He too was a horse no one counted on to do anything and yet he lifted the spirits of an entire nation in a very dark time.....SEABISCUIT. And even further in the past was yet another "dark wonder"....BLACK GOLD. This sprot is full of stories like this and I think our generation has one of the BEST writers covering it for us as is evidenced by this and the many other articles that steal our hearts and bring us back to exactly why we LOVE Thoroughbreds. THANKS STEVE!!!

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Giddyup — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:03:19 GMT

No one tells these stories better than Steve Haskin. Racetracks provide a place where hopes and dreams can come true and Mine That Bird will always provide inspiration for those who are battling long odds in life.

re: The Real Story Behind the "50-1" Shot

Matthew W — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 02:10:13 GMT

I played MTB in the BCup Juvy, over that aweful synthetic track that he abhorred, I remember thinking Pioneerof The Nile was going to win it, and Durkin fumbling for Mine That Bird's name like Bataglia does every race--we were all shocked, and, yes, he should've been 100-1, after all, Giocomo had run ok in bigger races, and he was 50-1---but Birdie fooled them all, including me, when he threw a realnice race at Rachel--his Preakness was a bit like Cannonero II's, it validated his Derby run, and oh, what a run---never will see THAT again, will we?

re: The Real Story Behind the "50-1" Shot

Paula Higgins — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 01:03:02 GMT

Mike Relva, thank you, I am doing well and I hope you are too! Made me happy to see you and MZ posting about MTB :). Loved seeing these pictures of him. Thanks again Steve.

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Paseana — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 16:58:12 GMT

I really did get a kick out of this story. I did when it was actually happening, and I did again with Steve's re-telling it here.

One indelible memory I have is something that happened in the days leading up to the 2009 Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. I was standing at my regular watering hole on the Mezzanine floor and noticed that Chip Woolley, black hat, mustache, jeans, and crutches in tow, was standing in line behind me. He wasn't surrounded by people (i.e., no entourage)...just minding his own business waiting his turn to be served. The surreal part was how quiet it became and how most everybody was just looking at him in some sort of silent recognition.

Honestly, it was like he was some sort of Rock Star! And that was 6 months after the Derby! It was pretty amazing!

re: The Real Story Behind the "50-1" Shot

Mike Relva — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:17:55 GMT

Paula

Thanks for that. How are you?

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Paula Higgins — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 01:42:29 GMT

Mine That Bird was one of the best stories to ever come out of the Kentucky Derby. I loved that little guy and like Mike Relva, spent lots of time defending him. I also remember his Canadian wins as a 2 yo MZ and whenever certain people acted like he chopped liver, I would bring this up. As for the oxygen boost, human athletes will often train at higher altitudes for exactly the same reason. Figure skaters were famous for this and it definitely gave them an edge. Thanks for the article Steve. I hope to see the movie.

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Windolin — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 19:19:54 GMT

Being the horse nut I am, I watch Derby Day coverage all day beginning to end. I absorb as much as I can from the profiles of the horses, trainers and owners and the behind the scene stories. I usually have a favorite though my favorite might not always be my pick to win. This year my favorite was Frisian Fire, but had not definitively made up my mind that if I were a betting person, I would bet on him to win.

Then came Mine that Bird. This little, unknown (in US) colt that had been hauled across country in a horse trailer by a man hobbling about in cast on his leg. While I taking all this in, a little voice way down told me that this colt was going to win. I had about $100 in "extra money" and came within a cats whisker of placing a bet on Mine That Bird. When he came roaring across that finish line, I could have kicked myself a hundred times for not placing that bet.

The following week my farrier came and we spoke at length about the race and how we both loved how this little guy ran away with it all that Saturday.

Mine That Bird was and is the little people's horse.

I plan to go see the movie at the theater and will of course add the DVD to my horse movie collection.

There are times when we need a feel good story in a movie and this I think is one of those years.

I think too that Mine That Bird's journey reminds us that we just never know where greatness is going to come from and sometimes it is from that little underdog waiting at the back to show what he or she can do.

Thank you for another beautifully written piece of nostalgia.

And I too love that picture of him snatching that carrot.

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Pedigree Ann — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 13:34:11 GMT

"Each morning, Figueroa watched the Derby horses gallop a mile and three-eighths or a mile and a half and they were coming back blowing. He and Mine That Bird were going two miles every day at a pretty good lick on every kind of surface and not once did the horse come back blowing."

There you have it. Mine That Bird was the fittest horse in the race. Sometimes, especially at 10f+, fitness is as important, or moreso, than innate "talent."

Giving MTB to Lukas was a wrong-headed move. Lukas decided that MTB wanted to run as a miler, which was so contrary to his race record that I wondered about Mr. L's sanity. No wonder he never won another race. Should have been trained for the new BC Marathon and its preps.

re: The Real Story Behind the "50-1" Shot

slee — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:19:03 GMT

ah, little birds.

I remember that Derby Day like it was yesterday. I remember looking at his Canadian performance and his recent training at altitude and his being a little bay horse in a plain looking wrapper and thinking, "Canonero". So did I go out and bet him to win and dream of another fairy tale? Noooo….I put $2 on him to show……. sigh.

If I remember correctly Mine That Bird's connections were at the entrance of Churchill Downs the day after the Derby giving away the roses from the winner's blanket. That was pretty cool.

Thanks Steve!

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Fernando Rodriguez Larrain de Lavalle — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:59:28 GMT

amazing story!!!!

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Jean in Chicago — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:37:29 GMT

Never under estimate those little dark horses from Canada.

I love the picture of MTB helping himself to a carrot! And being led around the paddock, he looks like he's acknowledging the crowd's applause--"Thank you, my pleasure, thank you".

mz-I also wonder about the trainer switch. This isn't to insult any trainer, but sometimes a trainer/horse match-up works and sometimes it doesn't. Why break-up a winning combination?

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Fran Loszynski — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:12:26 GMT

Your articles are never too lengthy Steve never apologize for all the racing info you give us. When I first met Birdstone at Gainesway Farm his huge big eye just starred at me for five minutes. I said to Mine That Bird's Dad You ought to be in pictures, and his son is. Wow!

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ksweatman9 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:15:47 GMT

Carter, I believe you. I've heard the same from other sources. I trust that Mine that Bird's derby win will keep him from being slaughtered and slabbed on someone's plate. Horse racing is a business, not all persons involved in the sport love horses, that's a fairy tale. However, most people do care what others think of them. That alone will keep little Bird safe. I deplore horse slaughter and I'm ready for battle if they open a slaughter house in my "back yard". Team up with others in your area who feel as you do and see what can be done. Good luck.

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Bigtex — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:32:53 GMT

Carter

Get a grip. Mine that Bird is a horse. He knows nothing of Valley Meat, a hearing 4 years after his run for the roses nor equine drugs acquired through consumption. You have a problem with the connections do your own story or movie. Steve's story is about the horse's trail to the 2009 Kentucky Derby and unrelated to your crocodile tears hearing. Go picket Valley Meat!

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Shelby's Best Pal — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:44:10 GMT

On the eve of the world premiere of "50-1," I read this story with great interest. A fantastic set of events and a truly memorable Kentucky Derby! Thank you, Steve Haskin, for sharing it with your fans and Bird's fans. As I watched a replay of the 2009 Derby I was again awestruck at the stretch run. What a ride!