A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

A note from cow country — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:43:05 GMT

Phantom,

sounds like you may be worried about the price going up on $20,000 colts the last 3 days of the sale. I am sure the consignor's won't mind. Don't worry, the cowboys have always been there for these sale dates and have been active buyers. Remember they bought Three Bars in the forties, and Alysheba in the 80's. However, this pony did not cost $20,000 he cost $400,000. His 2yr old 1/2 brother brought $72,000 as a yearling and recently $100,000 at a two year old in training sale. So maybe, just maybe those cowboys may bring more than $20,000 now that the see they can get a good return on a $400,000 purchase. I am sure if they open their wallets everyone will not worry to much about them wearing their wranglers. Especially if oil goes back up this summer. So, lets give the little pony and his connections the respect they deserve.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

SalemPoe — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:09:38 GMT

I can see from reading some of the posts that you just can't make some people happy, no matter what. I feel sorry for all of the miserable Derby watchers that are unhappy with the results of this race. Think of it this way, at least a wonderful, appreciative jockey won; as I understand it, this horse is only like the 9th gelding to win the Derby, so another one for the record books; and his trainer shared the roses with fans the next day - sounds like a plus for racing to me. Don't forget, no one broke down either. Lighten up & enjoy the good things that came from the race!!

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

jhaughey — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:32:42 GMT

For all the whinners out there. Give the horse and connections their due, they stepped up and won the Kentucky Derby. Good Luck and God Bless. By the way both my kids were born on 8/16/02. CHA CHING!

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

MikeM — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:26:54 GMT

The Sheik might be good for the commercial aspect of the business but IMO does nothing to fan the flames of interest for thoroughbred racing. I for one am tired of them buying every ready made race horse and royaly bred perfect speciman of yearling. Oh,and their system of training their top 3yo in Dubai and running them in some BS stake is a joke.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Mike Relva — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:37:01 GMT

TO:THE PHANTOM:

So i guess ff grabbing a quarter as well as kicked,Dunkirk nearly falling out of the gate has no bearing whatsoever,right? Give me a break!

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

smartyjones1 — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:51:03 GMT

here's a few more points,,,

you become the 2 year old champion in canada by winning a grade 3 stakes race??...

the CD race caller called mind that bird late also-and usually the race callers are watching through bi-nocs

so they are focused in on the leaders..

still no one else saw all the bumping the 2ed,3rd and 4th place finishers did-

i feel PON should have been dq'ed and placed 4th...

still if the horse wins another GRADED STAKES in this country i will be amazed,,,

post my comments moderator...please

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

SmartyParty — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:24:06 GMT

I agree, Mary. It's a shame what happened to Friesan Fire. He should've won; he was the best horse in the field. He just got beat up real bad. Hopefully he'll be back soon to show everyone what he's made of. And as everyone can tell by my display name, I love Smarty Jones which means I can't stand Birdstone, which means I wasn't extremely happy when Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby, but it's a great story and awesome for the horse, trainer, jockey (Go Calvin!), and all his connections.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

LDP — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:12:59 GMT

having known chip since the late 80s-i disagree he was disrespectful not wearing a suit-the hat as well as the jeans are what he wears and is comfortable in.he would have looked phoney in a suit. i thought he looked good-this is a hands on trainer. as far as interviews go how many times did some not so bright reporter ask him about the trailer and pu.very simple it would have been costly as well as a new experience for him to fly he would have had to haul to alb. or denver then a trip in a box unless one of the air transports would make a detour. that he brought the horse himself not even trusting a van should speak volumes about him. i do not see this as a big deal.

calvin was calvin-chip was chip.i don't know mr.allen but i do know Dr.Blach -i consider him a friend and a good judge of horseflesh.he worked on the track in the 1970s and has the best stallion operation in new mexico.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

smartyjones1 — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:10:48 GMT

seems i'm taking a few knocks here,,,but this horse WILL NOT WIN

ANOTHER GRADED STAKES EVER AGAIN,,,

and if the horse is so good why did the original owners sell...

papa mandella did nothing with him in the breeders cup-and again i live for upsets all i'm saying is this one just ain't right,,,50-1...should have been 1000-1

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Brian A. — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:53:31 GMT

You know, I actually really like that Mine That Bird is a gelding. If he keeps improving and leads the male three-year-old division this year that will mean he won't be sent off to the stud right away and we can enjoy another year of him maybe.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Brooke — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:50:03 GMT

Susan,

He's not a "shoe in" for anything. His father only won one TC race. How does that make him a shoe in. Congrats to MTB, Cal and the connections, but I'll be shocked if this horse wins another race.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Freespirit — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:07:10 GMT

I think Birdstone is doing really great for a sire. I saw one of his foals at the November sale and thought she was outstanding looking. She ended up going cheap - I think it was $1700. Bargain I bet.

I think Calvin made the Derby. He was fantastic after the race. I wish he would win every year. Edgar Prado barely smiles afterwards, even though I like him, don't get me wrong.

As far as the trainer goes, I think it would have been nice if he had taken those sunglasses off to be interviewed, and he did seem rude in the interview after the race, but he has made up for it and shown his good side by giving credit to the former trainer, and for putting the garland of roses on Barbaro's statue and giving out the roses to people. But heck, you couldn't even see what he looked like between the cowboy hat and the sunglasses. I saw a picture of him today and I was shocked to see what his face looked like (it wasn't what I pictured).

Anyway. Mine That Bird gave inspiration to all of us small time breeders. Thanks to him and all his connections!

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Matt M. — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:49:59 GMT

Maybe those Kentucky boy's who have sold their souls to the sheikh are a little worried that he may have to change his strategy.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

My Juliet 76 Eclipse — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:35:08 GMT

I am so happy for especially Calvin Borel. I agree with some comments about the connections attire. Yes it is a free country but horse racing is one of the last areas and sports where people still dress up for major races. It is part of what makes it special, a link to the past. I was glad to hear of the owner and trainer kindly passing out roses the day after the derby. They might have been discounted wrongly before the race but thats no excuse for the unfriendliness. You have to stay humble in sports. I think the attire mixed with the attitude was a turn off. At least Calvin was there to show graciousness.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

smartyjones1 — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:57:56 GMT

once again-mister ghostzapper...

and i belive jjp(not sure)...

giacomo-had the #'s and a good enough closing last quarter in his final prep race to qualify in the derby....and he paid $102.00 to win

mind that bird had nothing to even qualify a wager on him(maybe calvin b up...ok but his odds still should have been much,much higher...this is my 53rd derby i watched and or bet on,,,i've owned horses(and still do,,ok-my son is a jockey-i have been around horses my whole life and i've seen many shockers before-and can't wait to see more just like mind that bird)..but please don't tell me that something isn't fishey here--

smells like a school of tuna!!-also whoever compared this horse to smartyjones-PLEASE! time will show just how superior smarty was and is

again congrats to calvin--oh...1 more thing,,,the rail was dead for 2 days at CD-and even raphel bejarano-knew to stay off it...not to mention why there was no inquery for 2nd,3rd and 4th place,,,looks like a tight lid will be kept over this race--

mind that bird-will never win another major stakes race again

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

WMT — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:16:57 GMT

EarlySpeed, you should get your facts straight before you comment. You say "Smarty's offspring are just coming out this year, and the majority of them are doing very well." His first foals are 3, so they are not just coming out. Compare stat summaries of Smarty and of Birdstone and it is quite obvious who is doing much better as a sire. Smarty's initial fee was $100,000 (a ridiculous amount for him, IMO), 10x that of Birdstone's so he got much better mares but he is not siring the quality Birdstone is. Birdstone is also doing better in spite of having considerably less foals out there.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

karen in Indiana — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:42:59 GMT

needler in Virginia, you got that right! When the guy from NBC was trying to interview Wooley on the walkover, Wooley was kind of aggravated, but the interviewer was getting his feet tangled up in the crutches. And then after the race, when Wooley made the comment 'They'll know who I am now.', that sounded rude until you know the whole story. The guy had spent the week being ignored and dismissed when the fact is anyone who has a horse that gets in the Derby has earned it and they should all receive the same amount of respect. Given a choice between a slick guy in a suit (who you know doesn't get dirty anymore, he pays guys to do that for him) and a guy in jeans and a cowboy hat that is a horseman, I'll take the horseman any day.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Whatever — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:47:11 GMT

Tom Durkin's race call was horrible. He doesn't pick up Mine That Bird until near the wire. I caught the Bird moving up the rail near the far turn and Durkin never mentions his name or anything. This guy is the worst race caller I have ever heard, simply aweful!

Editor's Note: Churchill Downs' race caller is Mark Johnson, but Tom Durkin (who normally calls for NYRA) did the race call for the NBC telecast.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Lindybird — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:44:51 GMT

Let the cowboys wear their jeans and hats. Would they ask the sheiks to remove their turbans and cloaks had they won? They have probably gone modern too. But this is America. Everyone should be happy in his own way

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Speedball — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:50:37 GMT

Sitting Bull- Congrats!! You really nailed that one!! I hope you had The Bird. Keep us posted on the Preakness.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Bellwether — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:47:39 GMT

get a REAL PROMOTOR...other than Calvin the TV PRO-DUCTION was POOR...just stating the FACTS...

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

anotheremptykitchen — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:49:32 GMT

Couldn't a said it better Goodwin. Geez, guys.....welcome to America. Is this a great country or what? Out in my barn is a scrawny little 3 year old in a plain brown wrapper. Glad to see her 1/2 brother has agility, guts, and what it takes to win. They've either got it or not. Take a good look at Birdstone's first crop. Few in number,not fashionable at the sales. But they can run...... Great job on the part of the trainer. Lot's of you folks are in some other type of work, no doubt, and don't know the long hours that guy puts in, every day for years on end. It's a labor of love, I assure you. Moronic media questions fall under the "ask a stupid question" umbrella.

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Householder — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:51:19 GMT

How about MM being a nose off POTN and heading Papa Clem? Someone forgot to tell the "little horses" that they do not belong. Let's hear it for Yonaguska! "Sprint pedigree looks ill-suited for the Derby Distance (DRF). I think it is time to put the BEYERS to bed unless Andrew can fix the synthetic to dirt puzzle. Does he now go back and downgrade the Florida Derby?

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

needler in Virginia — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:41:42 GMT

Even with all the flaws (and WHO among us doesn't have at least one of those?), the connections of the Bird are just fine, thank you very much. Rough around the edges, a bit overwhelmed by the Louisville hoopla, tired from the drive, probably a bit pissed that their horse got absolutely NO respect before the Derby, even MORE pissed that all-of-a-sudden they are the flavor of the moment, these guys have proved you DO NOT require an industrial strength training barn, nor a high-powered owner, nor a gazillion dollar bank account to get a nice horse to the Kentucky Derby and win it! Certainly the trainer could have been a bit more civil (and I REALLY wish he would take off his hat and sunglasses), but GOOD GRIEF!! His little brown horse with the silly name had just won the biggest race in the world ......... think YOU might have been a bit unnerved?? All of a sudden the entire press corps is crawling inside your underwear and you've never had to deal with anything like this.....EVER. Who among us mere mortals has been in this position and emerged gracefully?? Personally, I would have fainted dead away and would have required oxygen!!

Cut the horse and his connections some slack here; the horse has more than earned it, and his connections can be forgiven their failings .... whatever they may be. Think back to Black Gold and HIS story .........

Relax and enjoy, fellas. The Bird and Mr Borel did GREAT work yesterday ..... and we're lucky to have seen it!

re: A standing ovation for Birdstone and Borel

Deborah — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:38:19 GMT

This derby win is just what thoroughbred racing needs. Mine That Bird, the little horse in brown wrapping is another Seabiscuit for the ages. Best of luck to Borel, Woolley, owners and the little brown horse. May the gelding win and keep on winning. He can run beyond age 3 because he cannot go to a breeding program!