Trainer Chip Woolley said Friday morning that an offer to purchase MINE THAT
BIRD (Birdstone), winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1), has been turned
down by owners Mark Allen of Double Eagle Ranch and Dr. Leonard Blach of Buena
Suerte Equine.
“After considerable thought, Mark and Doc made the decision not to sell,”
Woolley said. “I’m happy. I spent 25 years looking for this horse and I sure
didn’t want to lose him.”
Woolley did not identify the potential buyer nor disclose the size of the
offer.
Woolley said he received a call Tuesday night saying Mine That Bird would be
vetted on Wednesday. After Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby on May 2, the
owners received several inquiries about the gelding but no offers had been made.
Wednesday’s exam marked the first time Mine That Bird had been vetted.
With regular morning partner Charlie Figueroa up, Mine That Bird back-tracked
once around accompanied by a pony Friday. Woolley plans to have Mine That Bird
walk Saturday and jog again Sunday before resuming regular training on Monday to
begin preparation for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) on August 1.
With Mine That Bird staying put, Woolley said he probably would keep the
Derby winner at Churchill Downs another four weeks.
“I’d like to get him up there (at Mountaineer in Chester, West Virginia)
early enough to have two breezes over the track,” Woolley said. “We may leave
around (July) 16 or 17 to give him time to gallop once there before he works.”