Saturday, May 02, 2009
When a “Coupla” Buddies Have a Dream
(LOUISVILLE, KY – May 2, 2009) The hottest jockey on the grounds dropped his horse to last and nineteenth and stayed there for almost a mile before asking him to run. Then, in a move reminiscent of his 2007 winning ride on Street Sense, Calvin “BoRail” Borel let his 50-1 longshot, Mine That Bird, shoot through on the inside to grab the lead and first place in the 135th Kentucky Derby. The day before in the Kentucky Oaks, he guided the superstar filly Rachel Alexandra to a 20-length victory that was not only anticipated but completely opposite.
This was a race that odds-maker Mike Battaglia would be contested by four horses. At one time, the field was considered one of the strongest in recent history. Speculation was that Friesan Fire, Pioneerof the Nile, Dunkirk and perhaps one of the Dubai-based horses would triumph. But Mine That Bird, sent to the post by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerta Equine of New Mexico, upset the apple cart.
As happy as the 153,563 people in attendance were for Borel, they were shocked that his horse would respond the way he did. Borel saw a small hole at the top of the stretch, asked Mine That Bird to go through it, and the eventual Derby winner responded like a genuine champion.
“I had enough room. He’s a small horse,” laughed Borel, obviously dismissing the danger and the size of the hole he traveled through. The jockey explained that when his horse broke crookedly and banged into another horse at the start, he was left with little choice but to ride in a manner that wasn't picked out for him. Prior to the race, trainer Bennie L. "Chip" Woolley, Jr. expected that Mine That Bird would break cleanly, lay about eighth and make his move in a conventional manner when the turn came.
“I ain’t got no feelings right now. I’m just numb,” one of the horse’s co-owners, Mark Allen, told Battaglia in the winner’s circle. “I’m going to make a good showing in my first Derby,” Woolley, Jr. said he thought when he saw his horse grab the lead at the eighth pole, after losing sight of him earlier. "Usually when you start a race in trouble, it never gets any better."
Woolley, Jr. was made something of a fool by the press leading up to today’s race. He had won only one race this year out of 32 starts. He is primarily a quarter horse trainer, plying his trade at tiny Sunland Park. All that anyone could talk about was how Woolley, Jr., on crutches because of a broken leg he incurred in a motorcycle accident, drove his horse 1700 miles in a van to be here.
“Maybe they’ll start talking about something other than the van ride,” said Woolley, Jr. But that wasn’t the case for the broadcasters in the post-race analysis. What they should have been talking about was how winning the Run for the Roses can fulfill anyone’s dream. Nobody was more humble, more gracious and more moved to simply be at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May than the trainer.
Mine That Bird’s current owners bought the horse for $400,000 after the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine. The horse's first owner, David Cotey of Dominion Bloodstock, plucked the horse out of a Fasig-Tipton auction for $9500. Clearly overwhelmed by emotion and fighting back tears at the post-Derby press conference, Woolley credited Cotey for preparing the horse well. He also thanked his older brother Bill for helping out as he convalesced from his motorcycle injury.
The Kentucky Derby winner is a Sovereign Award winner – Canada’s Top Juvenile of 2008. But he hadn’t won a race since October. All the graded stakes earnings that qualified him for the Derby were earned north of the border. He finished twelfth and last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. His pre-Derby training at Churchill Downs revealed that he relished an off track, but it was not spectacular.
In winning, Mine That Bird became the second longest priced Derby winner in history. He replaces Giacomo, the winner in 2005, in the second spot. Donerail in 1913 is the longest. Mine That Bird is also a gelding. The last gelding to win was Funny Cide and, immediately following his victory, hope arose that his condition would keep him racing beyond his 3-year-old season. No doubt, the same will occur with this year’s Derby winner.
Of course, the off-track will be the excuse for most trainers. Only Dunkirk, who went nearly down and out at the break and then to his knees again, has a legitimate reason for failing to meet expectations. Aside from Pioneerof the Nile, the second place finisher, longshots filled in the ranks from third to ninth. So much for the theory that it was an exceptional group. Granted, Quality Road and I Want Revenge - the first and second choices - were scratched in the week coming into it.
Mine That Bird’s story is reminiscent of Funny Cide’s. But instead of a school bus as a major prop, this time around it’ll be a horse van. Regardless, the storybook ending was just about the same. Co-owner Leonard Block put it best, “Just shows what can happen when a ‘coupla’ buddies, who like to go to the track, have a dream.”
Written by Vic Zast
“It is Now (almost) Post Time!”
(5:40 PM, Derby Day – LOUISVILLE, KY) You didn’t have to be a genius to pick Einstein in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic. The versatile runner has won stakes on dirt, synthetic and turf. He’s as gutsy as they come when challenged, and this time it was Cowboy Cal. The two hit the wire a neck apart.
The only thing holding Einstein back from universal admiration is that he’s owned by Midnight Cry Stables. The owners – two lawyers - are in jail for cheating their clients. I doubt seriously that anyone cared or noticed. It was a magnificent run down the stretch for the Brazilian-bred 7-year-old colt by Spend A Buck.
Excitement levels are peaking now. Soon the horses will be making their trek around the first turn from the backstretch. It must be a thrill to be an owner. With the backdrop of Kentucky’s knobs, the parade is a picture admired. Airplanes are flying above. Noise is rising from the ground like crocus. The track is labeled good. Keep an eye on the closers.
This Derby will be a fantastic betting race. Two horses now are 6-1, two are 9-1 and the favorite is 7-2. All the rest can be had for double figures. I’ve got so many exacta boxes, one has got to hit. My straight up win bet is Dunkirk. Pioneerof the Nile merits across-the-board action.
Riders up. Play “My Old Kentucky Home.” Wipe your tears away. It is nearly post time.
Written by Vic Zast
Track Staying Sloppy with Only Two Hours Remaining
(3:20 PM, Derby Day – LOUISVILLE, KY) Horseplayers looking to wager early on the Derby must be wary of the fact that it’s unlikely to be a fast racing strip. Despite the predictions of seasoned Derby-goers and racetrack officials, it hardly seems likely that conditions can be improved so much that there’s a seismic shift in the rating.
The last few races, however, including the just-concluded Grade 1 Humana Distaff, have been noteworthy for closing tactics. Informed Decision, with Julien Laperoux in the saddle, looked hopelessly beat on the far turn. He then turned it on to catch the leader, Dubai Majesty. Another closer, Temple Street, got second.
Nevertheless, the track remains sealed. I expect it to be harrowed in the next hour. But I could be wrong about that. You may be watching on television and the image might portray it as goo-ey. Yet, photographers, grooms and officials are walking on the damped over section without sinking in. Churchill Downs has its own definition of sloppy on Derby Day. Be careful.
Friesan Fire’s down to 7-2. Pioneerof the Nile, at 8-1, is looking good.
Written by Vic Zast
The Rumor Amidst the Truth Peddlers
(3:30 PM, Derby Day – LOUISVILLE, KY) Don Clippinger of the Thoroughbred Times just told me a story about John Pricci. According to Clippinger, the executive editor of HorseRaceInsider.com once paid Audrey Korotkin, Clippinger’s squeeze, to refrain from betting on Unbridled because he knew that she was a “cooler.” These are the kind of gems that pass through the lips of turf writers.
Speaking of turf writers, there are a few here in the press box that don’t make the rounds to ordinary races. Ray Kerrison of the New York Post has made his appearance and has a desk and a laptop. Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated fame is sashaying about with a blonde on his arm. It’ll be fun to read what he writes, if anything, about what’s going on. Give him credit for being a fabulous dresser. Nice chestnut-colored blunt tip lace-ups, a seersucker suit and a Panama hat.
Perhaps who’s not here is more revealing of the state of the sport than who is. The ranks have thinned. Paul Moran, who predicted Big Brown wouldn’t finish in the money last May, is not to be found. Neil Milbert of the Chicago Tribune has retired. Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News has moved to the Metro desk. On the other hand, members of the foreign press have filled in.
The Michael Stidham-trained Tizaqueena upset the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff, bringing repeat glory to jockey Jamie Theriot. On paper, the Juddmonte Farm’s Visit had a stronger resume. But in the electronic age, what good is pulp anyway?
Written by Vic Zast
Closer Catches Larry Jones’ Runner
(2:35 PM, Derby Day – LOUISVILLE, KY) Two leggy rocket ships – one wearing a silver zebra striped dress and white hat and the other in a pink get-up with some cabbage tossed in her tresses – led the winner Four Gifts back to the winner’s circle after the seventh race. The first running of the Eight Belles went off without incident – a relief to all with a sense of history.
Just when it looked as if Gabriel Saez, aboard Cindy Jones’ filly Just Jenda, was going to capture the prize, Shaun Bridgmohan maneuvered Four Gifts, trained by Larry Jones, to the front, emphasizing the fact that the track might becoming more favorable to closers. If it morphs into “good,” Pioneerof the Nile fans will turn ecstatic.
Only a handful of Kentucky Derby horses are attracting odds below double digits in the advance wagering. The mud-loving Friesan Fire has stayed the favorite at 4-1. General Quarters, the surprise at 9-1. The big overlays are the Dubai-based runners. Don’t lose track of them as you plunk down your dirhams.
Written by Vic Zast
