Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners to work on Memorial
Day
The countdown to the June 6 Belmont S. (G1) is on for trainer Chip Woolley
and his Kentucky Derby (G1) winner MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone).
“I am definitely looking forward to it,” Woolley said of the third leg of the
Triple Crown. “He is starting to bloom already again. He is going to stretch his
legs (Monday) morning, working an easy three-eighths.”
Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby, could
be aboard for the work. Mine That Bird is scheduled to work after the
mid-morning break for track maintenance.
After his Kentucky Derby victory, Mine That Bird ran second to Kentucky Oaks
(G1) winner RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) in the Preakness S. (G1) in an
effort that validated his Derby score to many.
Woolley already was convinced the Derby victory was no mirage.
“It was not a fluke in my mind,” said Woolley, sporting a huge new belt
buckle acknowledging the Derby victory. “He got past 18 super horses in a
quarter of a mile. That validated him to me. That was not impossible, but right
next to it.
“The only other trainer I heard say it was not a fluke was Bob Baffert. He
said flukes don’t win the Derby.”
Woolley is comfortable with Mine That Bird’s conditioning heading into the
Belmont and not feeling any pressure.
“(Owners) Mark (Allen) and Doc (Leonard Blach) told me that at this point it
is just a race at a time,” Woolley said. “Everything is gravy from here on out
and just enjoy it.”
Rachel Alexandra is also scheduled to work for the first time since her May
16 Preakness victory on Monday at Churchill Downs. She is scheduled to head to
the track with the second set of horses for trainer Steve Asmussen around 6:15
a.m. (EDT).
Rachel Alexandra galloped early Sunday morning under exercise rider Dominic
Terry.
The filly’s status for the Belmont has not been decided. She has won six
consecutive stakes events in a string that started with last fall’s Golden Rod
S. (G2) at Churchill Downs.