Newsletters and Notices
 
Ruidoso Horse Sale Company - Exogenous Anabolic Steroids Policy 3/18 Congratulations NMHB Award Winners
NEW MEXICO HORSE BREEDERS EVA GUIDELINES 2009  

New Mexico Androgenic-Anabolic Steroids Ruling 2/12

  

BIRD NEWS

 

MINE THAT BIRD NOMINATED for 2009 Eclipse Awards
 
Goodwood: Quality Foes Await Mine That Bird - Mine That Bird, stunning 50-1 winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) this spring, has hooked a highly contentious field for his first try against older horses in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

The 3-year-old Birdstone gelding is reunited again with Calvin Borel by trainer Chip Woolley for the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood, which attracted a field of 10. The race, the seventh on the program, is one of four Breeders' Cup Challenge events on the Oak Tree program and guarantees the winner a place in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita. Mine That Bird, who will be the first non-Southern California-based Derby winner to run at Santa Anita since Spectacular Bid in 1980, drew the far outside post. photo: Benoit
 
MINE THAT BIRD DRILLS FIVE FURLONGS AT OAK TREE; DERBY WINNER PLANS TO RUN IN GR. I GOODWOOD OCT. 10; TRAINER PRAISES SURFACE, EYES $5 MILLION B.C. CLASSIC  - Mine That Bird, upset winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, registered his first workout at Santa Anita Tuesday morning, drilling five furlongs under Joe Talamo in 1:01.80 in preparation for Oak Tree’s Gr. I, $350,000 Goodwood Stakes Oct. 10.
As trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley and a gaggle of media looked on, the 3-year-old gelding by Birdstone walked to Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride synthetic main track at 8:05 a.m. and jogged counter-clockwise on the outer rail under Talamo, who deputized Tuesday morning for regular rider Calvin Borel. Benoit Photo
 

 

TRAINER CHIP WOOLLEY HAPPY WITH MINE THAT BIRD’S RECENT ALBUQUERQUE WORK - September 18, 2009 – Bennie L. “Chip” Woolley Jr., the trainer of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mine That Bird, said the 3-year-old gelding came out of his September 14 workout at The Downs at Albuquerque in good shape.
Mine That Bird worked 4 furlongs in :47-2/5 between the first and second races at the Albuquerque track. The drill was the fastest of 15 at the distance that day.
 
Mine That Bird now in Albuquerque, NM
Mine That Bird and trainer Chip Woolley are currently in Albuquerque, NM at the Downs at Albuquerque where the "BIRD" is scheduled to work a mile and half on Monday. For you fans in the Albuquerque area the work is scheduled between the 1st and 2nd race at the Downs at Albuquerque. First post 3:00 MDT.
Woolley vanned the 'BIRD" to the Downs at Albuquerque on Friday afternoon following the open house at Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell.
"The reason we are stopping in Albuquerque is that the track is open and it's a little closer to California," said trainer Chip Woolley. "Right now we are going to stay put, I like the track surface here and we want to wait for some of the smoke to clear out around Santa Anita. As soon as they get the fires under control and the air clears, we will make our move." -photo by SureBet

 
MINE THAT BIRD - Blessed and Honored by fans in Roswell - Mine That Bird gazed curiously at the priest dressed in a white and murmuring a prayer in front of him. “I’ve never blessed a Kentucky Derby winner before,” the priest said. “They never taught me how to do this in the seminary.”
After a short invocation and a few quick splashes of holy water on his mane, Mine That Bird was finally ready to accept the city of Roswell’s gift to him.
Several thousand people visited Double Eagle Ranch during the five hour open house in Roswell, NM, to catch a glimpse of their home-town hero "Mine That Bird". As part of the celebration City Councilor Art Sandoval announced to the crowd that May 2 would from now on officially be known as Mine That Bird Day.
 

Dedication "Mine That Bird" - Ruidoso Downs Racetrack - Sept. 7, 2009
Sculpture by Don Hershberger

135th Kentucky Derby winner "Mine That Bird" leads the post-parade
for the 51st running of the All American Futurity [G1]
at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Sept. 7, 2009

 

Mine That Bird To Lead Post Parade For All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs
RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (July 19, 2009) – Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will lead the post parade for the Grade 1, $2 million All American Futurity, the world’s most celebrated quarter horse race, on Labor Day, September 7 at Ruidoso Downs.
“New Mexico is our home and everybody in New Mexico has supported us,” said Mine That Bird’s co-owner Mark Allen. “The people deserve to see him and we’re excited about being able to parade him for the All American.”
 


Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is shown galloping at Ruidoso Downs this morning. He arrived at Ruidoso Downs on Wednesday and will lead the post parade for the Grade 1, $2 million All American Futurity on Monday afternoon.
 - Photo by Ty Wyant

Mine That Bird Works At Ruidoso Downs Monday - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (September 7, 2009) – Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird worked one-half mile in :48 on Monday morning at Ruidoso Downs, continuing his preparations for the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders Cup Classic on November 7 during the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet in Arcadia, California.

 
 


Calvin Borel back on MINE THAT BIRD - Roswell, NM – August 30, 2009 – Co-owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach announced today that Calvin Borel will once again be aboard MINE THAT BIRD. Borel and Mine That Bird are meeting in California shortly after Labor Day.

Mine That Bird will ship after greeting his New Mexico fans when he leads the G1 All American Futurity post parade at Ruidoso Downs. The dynamic duo are scheduled to enter the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (G1) on October 10th at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting. The pair will continue on together in this year’s $5,000,000 Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 7th. photo by SureBet

 

Mine That Bird, Summer Bird settle in at Saratoga
 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird got his first look at the Saratoga Race Course main track on Tuesday morning, galloping 1½ miles under regular exercise rider Charlie Figueroa.

SOUL WARRIOR UPSETS WEST VIRGINIA DERBY; MINE THAT BIRD THIRD
CHESTER, West Virginia (August 1, 2009) – Calling it “the best pick-up mount I’ve ever had,” jockey Dale Beckner rode longshot Soul Warrior to his first stakes victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.

Soul Warrior races for Ahmad Zayat’s Zayat Stables LLC and is trained by Steve Asmussen. The Kentucky-bred colt by Lion Heart went 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.46, and his margin of victory was a neck from odds-on favorite and pacesetter Big Drama.

Mine That Bird in West Virginia Derby Work
Mine That Bird breezed through a four-furlong workout at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on July 27. The track’s clockers recorded a time of :49 4/5 as the Kentucky Derby winner continued his preparations for Aug. 1, $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II).

Mine That Bird Looks 'Sharp' in Workout
 Mine That Bird continued his progress toward the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) when he breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 July 7 at
Churchill Downs. The time was co-sixth fastest of the day among 66 horses working the distance over a fast track.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is headed to the
West Virginia Derby

Steve Haskin talks with Dr. Blach, co-owner Mine That Bird

Dr. Blach Makes New York Housecall
 So, when the interviews are done and night spreads over Churchill Downs and all that 
 remains to be done at Churchill Downs is cleaning tons of trash off the ground, does one’s 
 life really change after winning the world’s most famous race? Read More

 Mine That Bird pronounced ready for Belmont

 Mine That Bird's Owners Check In
 Mine That Bird’s entourage grew a bit the morning of May 31 as Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard 
 Blach, the New Mexico-based co-owners of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands 
 (gr.  I) winner, made a quick stop in Louisville en route to New York for the June 6 Belmont 
 Stakes (gr. I). READ MORE

 

 


 Why Mine That Bird Can Win the Belmont Stakes

 With shot at personal Triple Crown, Borel is big story at Belmont Stakes

 Borel to try for first-of-a-kind Triple Crown
 Jockey back with Mine That Bird after riding Rachel Alexandra in Preakness

 

 

 

Mine That Bird huge favorite in Belmont Stakes early odds
The books have put up early horse betting odds to win the 2009 Belmont Stakes so let’s take
a look at who is favored. READ MORE...

Borel Works Mine That Bird; No Mount Decision

No decision on Rachel Alexandra status
Rachel Alexandra owner Jess Jackson said he was uncertain Monday morning of the
Preakness champion's status for next month's Belmont Stakes after the filly worked out at
Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. READ MORE

Belmont field taking shape as big decisions loom

By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
NEW YORK (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird needs a jockey for the Belmont Stakes. Rachel Alexandra needs to show she's fit after winning the Preakness.
Derby and Preakness-winning rider Calvin Borel needs to figure out which horse he'll climb aboard in his personal quest for a Triple Crown.
While big decision day appears to be Monday — the day Rachel Alexandra works out at Churchill Downs and Borel was told to declare whether he'll ride Mine That Bird — the rest of the Belmont field is coming into shape. click here to read more...

Mine That Bird already back to work

Mine That Bird is the little horse that could. He just keeps chugging along, surprising everyone and making new fans every day with his remarkable resiliency. Even though he won the Kentucky Derby, took a long, 10-hour haul to Baltimore, ran second in the Preakness two weeks later, then took that same long haul in reverse on Monday, Mine That Bird was back on the track at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, jogging one mile as he took his first steps toward a start in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6.

"He's really bouncing and animated," his trainer, Chip Woolley, said by telephone Tuesday morning from Churchill Downs. "I'm real happy with him right now. He didn't lose too much weight in the race."
read more...

Smith won’t ride Mine That Bird in Belmont

Decision means Borel could return if Rachel Alexandra opts out of race

Mike Smith, who rode Mine That Bird to a second-place finish in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, will not ride him in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, choosing instead to ride Madeo in the Grade 1 Whittingham Stakes at Hollywood Park that day. READ MORE

Mine That Bird shows he's for real

BALTIMORE -- The connections of Mine That Bird wanted to prove that the gelding's victory in the Kentucky Derby was no fluke.
And even in defeat in Saturday's 134th Preakness Stakes, that's exactly what they did. Though his furious late run in the stretch fell one length short of the superstar filly Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird finished second, ahead of 11 other colts and geldings, and in many ways validated his Derby performance at 50-1 odds two weeks ago.
"It wasn't no fluke,'' co-owner Mark Allen said.
"They don't think [it's a fluke] now, do they?'' trainer Chip Woolley said.
Mike Smith, who picked up the mount on Mine That Bird after Calvin Borel took off to ride Rachel Alexandra, calle
Mine That Bird "the bravest little horse I think I've ever been on.'' CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

Heading Out: Mine That Bird On the Road Again

Early on the morning of May 18, trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley had just loaded Mine That Bird into a horse trailer and was preparing for the 9 ½-10 hour drive from Baltimore, Md., to Louisville, where the little gelding had won the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) before going on to finish second in the May 16 BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

“We just loaded him and we’re pulling out of the Pimlico stable gate,” said Woolley, who drives the Ford Lariat pickup with the Turnbow trailer attached despite having a broken leg sustained in a motorcycle accident. READ MORE...


Rivalry: Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird prove worthy

BALTIMORE — Mine That Bird couldn't quite pull off another miracle Saturday in the Preakness Stakes, but the small, New Mexico-bred gelding proved beyond a doubt that his 50-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby was no fluke.
It didn't even matter that the horse lost its rider, when jockey Calvin Borel switched to Rachel Alexandra after the filly's connections decided to enter the Preakness.

With Mike Smith aboard, Mine That Bird, as planned, stayed back again, running dead last at the halfway mark. Then, just like in the Derby, the horse made a powerful charge down the stretch and nearly ran down the leader again. This race was 1/16 of a mile shorter than the Derby, however, and that might have been the difference. READ MORE...

 

 

 

 

Rachel Alexandra Struts Her Stuff In Preakness Stakes
(official Pimlico press release)


 Rachel Alexandra wins Preakness
Photo Credit: Jim McCue/MJC

 

 

 

 

BALTIMORE, 05-16-09 – A sprinkling of late afternoon rain could not dampen the sparkling performance of Stonestreet Stables LLC & Harold McCormick’s Rachel Alexandra, who took it to the boys and won the 134th running of the Grade 1, $1,100,000 Preakness Stakes Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. 

Before a crowd of 77,850 who contributed to the $86,684,470 which was wagered on the 13-race program, the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro broke alertly from her far outside post and promptly engaged speedy Big Drama as the field raced toward the clubhouse turn in the 1 3/16-mile classic. She is the fifth filly to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the first since Nellie Morse in 1924. 

Ridden by Calvin Borel, the tall bay filly pushed her head to the fore as the top pair raced down the backstretch. She never relinquished the lead, opening up by four lengths at the furlong pole before coming under a late assault from Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Derby third-place finisher Musket Man. 

Click here to read more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jockey mike smith bio

 

Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird Breezes
 Trainer Chip Woolley, who had said Mine That Bird
would not have a workout prior to the May 16
Preakness Stakes (gr. I), called an audible and
breezed the son of Birdstone at Churchill Downs
on the morning of May 11.
 CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Mine That Bird, shown working at Churchill Downs prior to the Derby,
breezed 4 furlongs over the Lousiville track on May 11.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
 

 

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER MINE THAT BIRD WILL RUN
 Louisville, KY – May 4, 2009 – The connections of Mine That Bird unanimously agreed today 
 that they will enter the 134th running of the Preakness® Stakes on May 16. 
 click here to read more...

 Borel takes advantage with long shot 5/3

 Mine That Bird Wins Kentucky Derby With Strong 
 New Mexico Connection  5/3

Mine That Bird goes from oddball to chamP
 They weren’t supposed to be here among the big shots and the sheik, 
 the Hall of Famers and the million dollar sure-things. Not the tiny horse with the funky feet 
 and unsightly gait. Not the cowboy trainer with the black
 hat, busted leg and horseshoe mustache to match.
 CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Derby Winner Primes for Preakness
  Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) 
 for Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, back-tracked to the paddock
 tunnel and then ‘loped’ once around a “fast” Churchill Downs main track
 Tuesday under exercise rider Charlie Figueroa before the renovation break.  
 CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Mine That Bird shocks Derby at 50-1
 LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. was running a horse in the Kentucky Derby for 
 the first time, and he wasn't going to let a little thing like a broken leg keep him from making 
 the walk over from the barn area before the race. He came over alongside a 50-1 shot,
 largely ignored by the raucous crowd along the outside rail. But minutes later Woolley 
 became, improbably, a Derby winner. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

 Figueroa Enjoys His Time with Mine That Bird
 As Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), quietly
 goes about his business at Pimlico in preparation for the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), so
 does the man who has been at his side since the  Birdstone   gelding’s unlikely Triple Crown 
 quest began. Click Here to read more

 Preakness 2009: Mine That Bird one of hottest Preakness Picks

 'Rachel' Draws Post 13 as 8-5 Favorite

 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra drew post 13 and was installed as the solid 8-5 
 morning-line favorite for the $1-million Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 16 at Pimlico.

 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up Pioneerof the Nile drew post 9 and 
 is the 5-1 second choice on the morning line, while upset Derby winner Mine That Bird (6-1) will break from post 2. click here to read more

Mine That Bird Flies Into Baltimore
 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird arrived at Pimlico ahead of 
schedule May 12 with a Baltimore City Police escort at 6:44 p.m. after leaving
Churchill Downs at 9:06.a.m. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

 
 Mine That Bird To Baltimore; Calvin Borel to ‘Jay Leno’

 Derby result was no surprise to some Southwest bettors

MINE THAT BIRD Rocks Kentucky!
New Mexico owners Mark Allen and Leonard Blach,
Score huge upset winning the 135th Kentucky derby!