Mine That Bird jogs at Churchill; Rachel back to track this
week
After two days off and a 9 1/2-hour van ride from Baltimore, Kentucky Derby
(G1) winner MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) returned to the track at Churchill Downs
for a light jog on Tuesday.
The gelding had regular exercise rider Charlie Figueroa in the saddle as he
headed to the track around 7:15 a.m. (EDT). It was Mine That Bird’s first trip
to the track since his runner-up finish to the Kentucky Oaks (G1)-winning filly
RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) in Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1).
Trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. said Mine That Bird jogged one mile the
wrong way over a fast surface.
“He went good, he looked good,” Woolley said. “He was bucking and playing a
little, so we’re in good shape I think.”
Woolley said Mine That Bird would on gallop on Wednesday as the Kentucky
Derby winner continues his preparation for the $1 million Belmont S. (G1), the
third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, on June 6. There is no set schedule for
Mine That Bird’s next work.
The trainer’s phone continues to ring with offers from agents of jockeys who
hope to pick up the mount on Mine That Bird for the Belmont. Mike Smith, who
rode Mine That Bird in the Preakness, cannot ride because of a previous
commitment in California. Calvin Borel, who was aboard for his 50-1 upset in the
Derby, is committed to ride Rachel Alexandra, but her status for the Belmont has
not been decided by majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen.
Woolley said he would discuss the issue with Mine That Bird’s owners and they
hope to have a decision in “a couple of days.”
The runner-up finish in the Preakness improved Mine That Bird’s career record
to 10-5-2-0 and lifted his earnings to $2,011,581.
Meanwhile, Rachel Alexandra walked under Asmussen’s shedrow on her second day
back at Churchill Downs following her historic win in the second jewel of the
Triple Crown.
Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to return to training on Wednesday. Asmussen
said she would go to the track with his second set of horses around 6:15 a.m.
Her Preakness victory marked the sixth consecutive win for Rachel Alexandra,
who has a record of 11-8-2-0 with earnings of $1,618,354.