Connections
Bennie Woolley Jr.
Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. began training horses in 1983 in New Mexico, and the 45-year-old conditioner will saddle his first Kentucky Derby starter with Mine That Bird. A resident of Bloomfield, New Mexico, Chip is a regular on the New Mexico circuit, training both Thoroughbreds and Quarterhorses, and he's been an active member of the New Mexico Horseman's Association for many years. // Full Bio ›
Calvin Borel
Calvin Borel was born in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, and began riding match races in his home state at age eight before launching his professional career at 16. "All I ever wanted to be was a jockey. // Full Bio ›
Double Eagle Ranch & Bueno Suerte Equine
Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach own in partnership Canadian champion two-year-old Mine That Bird, who will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for the New Mexico residents. Allen and Block purchased Mine That Bird after the Kentucky-bred gelding captured the Grey S. (Can-G3), Swynford S. and Silver Deputy S. // Full Bio ›
Lamantia, Blackburn & Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds
Lamanthia, Blackburn & Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds bred Mine That Bird, who initially sold for $9,500 at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale. The Kentucky-bred garnered Canadian champion two-year-old honors for his previous owners, reeling off three straight stakes wins at Woodbine, before being privately sold to Mike Allen and Dr. Leonard. // Full Bio ›
Justin Dew
John Asher
Jill Byrne
James Scully
Community Analysis and Commentary
Sprint08
05/03 2:57 pmOne word: Amazing. I won't lie I really didn't think this horse had a chance. I love his sire Birdstone who captured my heart almost five years ago with his win over Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes and today he sired one of the finest Kentucky Derby longshots of all-time. Great job by the connections, great job Calvin the most emotional athlete I have ever seen in ANY sport. Great job Bird.
king of races
05/04 12:12 pmwell, i know this race was luck. he would not have won if he didnt care but he thought of the money.
Sprint08
05/04 6:30 pmWhat is that supposed to mean? The Bird wanted money or Calvin? Or are you being sarcastic lol?
meh62
05/06 12:43 amEverybody needs to watch this horse's past races. He's a good horse, he was just mishandled. In the Sunland Derby he was kept too close to a suicidal pace and his 4th place finish is deceiving. He was only a few lengths off the winner. Watch the Canadian races too. You'll see his explosive Derby stretch run wasn't a fluke.
This little guy slipped under the radar because the media was too busy hyping the big name trainer's horses and pushing the General Quarters feel good story. If anybody had bothered to watch MTB's past performances, they would've seen he was a legit contender.
smarty15jones
05/10 10:50 amevery horse in this field had a chance, mind that bird simply stuck out in the top 10 simply because he comes from birdstone which is a distance horse and none have ran this far yet. The rider gave this horse the best chance to win by takeing him far back and steal it at the end just like birdstone. the best horse of the field did not win the race, the horse with the best run won the race. if you put pioneer of the nile back in the pack next to this one, id give pioneer the edge at the finish. overall i still think musket man is the horse to beat in the preakness. he raced really wide and just missed second. good job bird but your not the best horse of these.
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