Planning Mine That Bird's Future

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Elaine — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:06:44 GMT

Mine That Bird looks as if he's going to end up a "West Coaster."

Ugh! I hate when a Ky Derby winner ends up that way.

Good to see that Chip Woolley is taking good care of him, but the writing is on the wall,..he'll end in west coast racing. Ugh.

As long as he doesn't end up ultimately in Japan....readers may recall the Ferdinand debacle...

Let's hope that same fate NEVER befalls another Ky Derby winner, NEVER!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

JackStallion — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:07:33 GMT

Seriously, can anyone out there tell me why Pioneerof The Nile is not considered the top 3 year old colt of this year? I'm sick of seeing 3 year old greats who got robbed of their Eclipse Award such as Barbaro and Empire Maker. Get it right with Pioneer. Most consistent 3 year old male of 2009.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Bill P — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:43:58 GMT

Mine that Bird is a wonderful horse and I predicted Borel would pull the trigger to soon at the Belmont. MTB can beat any running horse in any race on any track surface. He needs a jockey who has patience to sit chilly and pull the trigger with 200 yards to the finish line. MTB has explosive turn of foot. M. Smith simply blew it in the Preakness by not getting clear in time and blew it again by pulling the trigger WAY to soon in West Virginia Derby. This horse has a freaky closing kick. Find a jockey that will commit to him!!!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Nakayama — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:38:13 GMT

Some people may call Mine That Bird's win in the derby a fluke, and they may not believe that he is a good horse, but no matter what they say,he won Kentucky Derby and deserves the same respect as horses like Fusaichi Pegasus, Smarty Jones, Big Brown, and Barbaro. And just because he has only won one race this year, remember that he won when it counted, and many horses never even break their maiden.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Ida Lee — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:06 GMT

LOVE THAT BIRD!! He gave us one of the most exciting races of all time on the biggest stage in the world for his sport. What's not to love? I'll follow him wherever he goes, yelling and hollering all the way for my little Bird. And as for Chip, it's obvious he loves our boy. I thank him for taking such good care of our Derby Hero and know he'll always do what's best for him.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Karen in Indiana — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:33:19 GMT

I read your column anyway, but will make a point not to miss it. Thanks!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

LAZMANNICK — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:55:52 GMT

To Draynay and all the detractors of Mine That Bird.....there is an old saying.....

LOSERS LAUGH AT THOSE WHO GIVE THEIR ALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT WIN ALL THE TIME, BUT.....

HE WHO LAUGHS LAST, ALWAYS LAUGHS BEST

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

MTB — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:20:58 GMT

Mine That Bird will not run in the Travers. Surgery was too close to the race.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

GinnieJ — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:29:43 GMT

"Terry" said it best!

Chip Woolley and MTB both deserve R E S P E C T, so be it!

We'll be rooting for both at the DWC early next year. Thanks for the update.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

It aint easy being good! — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:56:13 GMT

LOL Dubia huh well he can def. get third in dubia he is used to the show money! This horse is overrated and belongs in grade 2 and 3 races because he can win those.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Matt M. — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:27:15 GMT

MTB is a game little horse, who show's up each race. He's the only horse to make Rachel sweat all year....hope he stay's sound and run's for a few years like Funny Cide did.....

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Kevin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:34:13 GMT

Wherever your/my niche is in the Thoroughbred World, we/I have been blessed by the appearance of Mine that Bird on the racing stage.

Mine That Bird has the best care/connections that any horse could want for.

His Trainer has shown himself to be superior to most. His words are enforced as truthful by the honesty of his actions.

His owners understand that he is a once in a lifetime gift. They know that the treasure they possess has no price.

With health, racing luck, built on the solid foundation Mine That Bird has been given, the racing world for years to come will be blessed by his presence. We are witness to the beginning, for he has the potential of a long racing life at the top levels. In the fall racing of years to come, we will be measuring the greatness of our three year old's on how they performed against him.

The catalogue pages of the too soon retired stallions will proclaim boldly on how they once beat and/or ran second the "Bird" as one of their main claims to fame.

All of us are so use to rooting for the champion, the flavor of the year, we have trouble seeing the potential when presented with a possible champion of a decade. So I say run Mine That Bird, run strong, be better, and be healthy. He runs for the whole racing world. I believe the longer he runs, the stronger, the better, the healthier, the racing world will be.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Vic Zast — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:17:03 GMT

Karen< Chip Woolley's accident occurred on February 22. His leg was broken in 12 places. The doctors want him to undergo further surgery. He won't allow that until he sees Mine That Bird through to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

One must be impressed with the man upon hearing him speak and watching him interact with people. He's living out a dream that many people have, but he's doing it with class, equilibrium and conscience.

I'll write more about Woolley's Guests in the Gallery appearance in my Monday morning Trackwords column at Horseraceinsider.com.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Karen in Indiana — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:02:30 GMT

I second LACS70, well said! The horse and the trainer make a great team and have brought a lot to horse racing.

Mine That Bird in Dubai as a 4 year old - wow! Wish I could be there! It will be wonderful to see how far this little guy can go. As a gelding, he could have years to set an earnings record that would take a long time to break. I still respect Cigar as the horse who has earned his record the hard way.

Every time I see anything about Chip Woolley still on crutches, I want to ask him if he's taking vitamins or extra calcium. 2400 mg. a day of calcium would be good. That's what we did for my ex when he broke his leg and it wasn't healing.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Saratoga Fan — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:36:34 GMT

Had the distinct pleasure of meeting and speaking briefly with Mr. Woolley on Friday at the Stakes Barn, and seeing little Mine That Bird. He is a gentleman and, most importantly, a consummate horseman. Was thrilled to be able to tell him how much I love the way he trains this horse, with long, slow and daily exercise. He absolutely should shoot for the moon (Dubai) with MTB, and why not? This great little gelding shows up and tries hard every time - which is as much as you can ask of any horse. Hope he continues to show that his Derby was no fluke and he and Mr. Woolley continue to bring their success and positive attention to the sport at a time when it needs all the heroes it can get.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Lane — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:31:08 GMT

Now about Mine That Bird. I am so happy for the way his connections are caring for him. He's got a fabulous trainer that cares a lot for his horse. So good luck in your next races, and go to Dubai! We love you MTB!!!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

LACS70 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:01:25 GMT

Well said, Terry! Mine That Bird is a class act, and so is his trainer.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

John Boudreau — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:17:29 GMT

In Races with BIG feilds MTB will Always Run Good>>He's been the Closes't to Racheal by Many than anybody has >> I'd Take a Shot in Dubai!!!!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

da3hoss — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:31:45 GMT

Jamie Theriot whipped Tidal Pool sixteen times in the stretch...SIXTEEN TIMES...??? I thought the rules had to give a horse a chance to respond...

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Melinda — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:25:27 GMT

Go Mine That Bird! Your fans love you and wish you the best. My sisters and I will be seeing you next weekend..we are traveling from NM to see you, whether you race or not! You are # 1 in our book.

Mel *.* STAY HEALTHY!!

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Terry — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:28:09 GMT

Mine That Bird horse was a Sovereign Award winner at 2. At 3, he finished in the top three in all the Triple Crown races, including a win in the most important one.

Rachel Alexandra whipped other colts her last time out, and they were nowhere near her at the finish. So far, the horse that has finished closest to her at the wire this year is Mine That Bird.

Furthermore, except for an easily-fixed breathing problem, Bird has stayed sound in a year when 3-year-olds have been falling by the wayside with depressing regularity.

Chip Woolley has done a great job with this horse. He deserves respect both for how he has handled the horse and how he has dealt with the media and with two consecutive bad rides by top jockeys who let him and the horse down.

re: Planning Mine That Bird's Future

Draynay — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:43:43 GMT

Shipping him to Dubai ? The horse has won one race ALL YEAR (in the mud) and they want to ship him to Dubai. What planet is Chip from ? He wasn't serious was he ?