Mine That Bird Honored In Style

Rep. Spence Ezell with Scott Scanland, who represents Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and Dr. Leonard Blach, on Friday, February 5, at the Roundhouse. Photograph taken by House staffer, Adam Salazar.

Santa Fe, NM (February 12, 2010) – On Friday, Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell (Chaves), dressed in a black cowboy hat, boots, and tuxedo pantsuit, recognized Mine That Bird as, “New Mexico

Horse of the Year for 2009.” The memorial passed the New Mexico House of
Representatives unanimously by a vote of 70-0.

“We were going to take the horse up to the podium and have him say a few words,” Rep. Spence Ezzell said in jest. “After all, he does live in my district.”
She continued, “Seriously, for any of you who didn’t get to hear the story, here it is:

Mine That Bird was a $9,500 gelding. In 2009 this small horse did not originally have the Kentucky Derby on his schedule because he had gone without a win since the previous year. He was towed in his trailer by a pick-up for the 22-hour journey from Roswell, New Mexico to Louisville, Kentucky.

A few days before the race, Mine That Bird’s comfortable yet humble trailer, pulled up next to the opulent coaches of his fellow racehorses. His owners, Dr. Leonard Blach and
Mark Allen, both of Roswell, had been told by their colleagues that the horse would be a longshot. They weighed the pros and cons of keeping him in the race.

For the love of competition, and with the belief that strong spirit can triumph the steepest odds, Blach and Allen decided to run Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby. He won by six and three-quarters lengths, the second largest margin in the 135 years of the Running of the Roses, bringing his supporters $101.20 on their $2.00 bet.

Dr. Leonard Blach and Mark Allen have brought New Mexico positive worldwide recognition. Dr. Blach was present for Friday’s House proceedings and received a standing ovation from members. As Blach accepted the House proclamation, he said it best, ‘Dream a little bit and your dreams will come true. This was always on our bucket list.”

Heritage
Mine That Bird was foaled on May 10, 2006. He is the son of 2004 Belmont stakes winner Birdstone, the grandson of 1996 Kentucky derby winner, Grindstone, and the great-grandson of 1990 Kentucky derby winner, Unbridled.

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