Mine That Bird works 'super'

Last updated: 11/2/09 8:08 PM

Mine That Bird will try to pull another big-day upset
(Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

Over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride on Monday, Kentucky Derby (G1) hero MINE THAT BIRD
(Birdstone) drilled five-eighths in 1:01 2/5 in advance of Saturday’s Breeders’
Cup Classic (G1). Joe Talamo was aboard for the move, and trainer Chip Woolley
was delighted with the result.

“He worked super — really super,” Woolley said just moments after watching
the workout. “I was looking for 1:02, but it was just what we wanted. He really
looked good getting over the ground and was just gliding out there.

“I was a little concerned after that last workout (five furlongs in a bullet
:58 1/5 on October 26) that he would get into the bridle today, but he was nice
and relaxed and galloped out really strong.

“The last work doesn’t look like it did any damage. Whenever you have a
bullet workout, a horse tends to get into the bridle in a race. Let’s just say
that I was really glad that that work was two weeks before the race.

“What really has helped him is that they’ve tightened the track. It’s really
helped him fire off the ground. He’s like a jackrabbit with the way his hind end
pushes him forward.”

The gelding, who had finished second in the Preakness S. (G1) and third in
the Belmont S. (G1) this spring, was most recently a rallying sixth in the Goodwood
S. (G1). Woolley said that Mine That Bird has really come around since his
effort in that October 10 prep race over the track.

“He really needed that last race,” Woolley said. “He had gone flat on me and
I trained him all I could, but it’s not the same as a race. He’s gotten stronger
— you could see it a few days after that race. He has really blossomed. Even
(trainer) Richard Mandella (who had the horse when he finished last in the
Juvenile [G1] last year) said he looks good.”

Jockey Calvin Borel, aboard for the Derby win and the Goodwood, has the mount
in the Classic.

In other Breeders’ Cup Classic news:

Zenyatta could bid to become the first female winner of the Classic
(Paula Smith/Horsephotos.com)

Unbeaten champion mare ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) jogged twice around the
four-furlong training track adjacent to trainer John Shirreffs’s barn at
Hollywood Park Monday morning to the satisfaction of her conditioner.

Zenyatta went to the training track at 9:40 a.m. (PST) with her regular team.
Groom Mario Espinoza led her out of her stall, and pony boy Fred Wilson escorted
her to the track with exercise rider Steve Willard. The champion mare was easy
to spot with four blue bandages and her name printed on a purple Breeders’ Cup
saddle towel.

“She looked good,” Shirreffs said.

Shirreffs said a final decision as to whether Zenyatta runs in the Classic or
Friday’s Ladies’ Classic (G1) will be reached Tuesday, after he confers with
owners Jerry and Ann Moss.

“The Mosses were in New York the last couple of days and flew home last
night,” Shirreffs said of the Beverly Hills, California, residents. “They
stopped on the way back and picked up two poodles in Tennessee. Cocoa, their old
dog, just passed away.”

Shirreffs said Zenyatta would gallop on the main track here Tuesday and, if
she is entered in the Classic, ship to Santa Anita Wednesday.

Godolphin’s Grade 2-winning pair of GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy) and REGAL RANSOM
(Distorted Humor) walked the shedrow at Santa Anita Monday morning, one day
after each worked five furlongs in :59 1/5.

“I think he’s impressed the most since he’s been here,” assistant trainer
Rick Mettee said of Regal Ransom. “He seems to really grab this track. Of all
the ones, he’s impressed the most, but obviously he’s in a tough spot.”

According to Daily Racing Form, both Girolamo and Regal Ransom will be
entered in the Classic. Each had also been under consideration for the Dirt Mile
(G1), which was their second preference at pre-entry time.

Trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi reported that multiple Grade 1 star EINSTEIN (Brz)
(Spend a Buck) was doing well Monday, one day after working a half mile in :47
4/5 at Santa Anita in his final major preparation for the Classic.

On Monday, the Santa Anita H. (G1) winner walked the shedrow and will return
to the track on Tuesday to jog.

“Turf is probably his preferred surface and I know he loves Churchill, but I
have to say this is his favorite track,” Pitts-Blasi said, referring to Santa
Anita. “I was happy with his work. This track plays fast and I never moved on
him. He did it well within himself.”