Kentucky Derby coverage, sadly, is the wrong place to look for thoughtful commentary on equine athletes. Dim-looking women in somewhat slutty strapless dresses and giant hats, sure, but horses, not so much.
[QUOTE=Rhonda;4065119]
Awesome race! :yes:
Mine That Bird won the Sovereign Award for Champion 2 Year Old Male here in Canada.[/QUOTE]
Well, then we Americans are managing to be rather clueless again.
"Nice touch by trainer Woolley to mention the previous trainer, David Cotey up in Woodbine, who actually got Mine that Bird the graded stakes earnings he needed to qualify to the Derby. "
Ditto.
Didn’t Richard Mandella have this horse when he ran in the BC Juvenile last year (where he ran dead last)? He’s gone through some hands in his racing career so far.
Personally, I don’t think that little horse needs fussing over. I watched as he jogged back with Calvin doing high fives, posting ups, slapping his neck, etc - that cute horse never flicked an EAR!!! Just trotted along like he was a frigging track pony - ears forward, not a flinch, not even breathing hard.
Holy ginormous Moly - that is one self assured horse (I mean MTB) guy!!!
He needs a cookie, IMHO.
That was a GREAT Derby! Calvin Borel - what’s NOT to love.
How soon for the movie???
YAY!!! My favorite jockey, always great rides. 
[QUOTE=Sonesta;4065094]
! A real Cajun Coon-Ass in full celebration mode![/QUOTE]
:eek: no way!!! :eek::mad:
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;4065141]
Didn’t Richard Mandella have this horse when he ran in the BC Juvenile last year (where he ran dead last)? He’s gone through some hands in his racing career so far.[/QUOTE]
Yes. Mandella got him just in time for the BC.
After his poor showing there, he went to New Mexico.
Yeah, but did everyone hear… SOme of the other jockeys were hurt when Mine That Bird went flying by. He was moving so fast they thought their horses were standing still and tried to dismount.
I Loved It!
1st place cost $9500 and third place cost $15,000! A lot of millions ran down the field today. My favorite saying has always been, breed for a racehorse, not a sales horse.
Also loved the comment by Calvin when he said, " these young horses can only run so fast for so long." Carl Nafzger told him that with Street Sense and they are very true words.
Congratulations to everyone involved in Mine That Bird.
Terri
Great race–and you have to love it when a long shot wins! :)
Apparently, Mine That Bird was Bennie Woolley’s first ever runner in a Graded stakes race! :eek: Way to start at the top.
Great race. According to the Web…horse was a three time stakes winner and 2008 Canadian Champ. Orignially sold for 9500 as a yearling and originally trained by David Cotey (and initial success)…He’s won $374,381 before getting to the derby…and won half of his 8 starts.
I’m wondering why he was such a long shot? He had a fantastic walk and I picked him as one of my Favorites…really wish I had placed a bet! Isn’t that how it always works!
Well, the owner and the trainer may not have given the cudos this horse deserved but, please, remember, Calvin did. He did. I think many, not ALL, race trainers/owners are not as emotional about the horses as we are. I guess they can’t afford to be be, it is business. There is no place for emotion in business. What a GREAT race, a gorgeous ride and unbelievable speed in that little guy!!!
I kind of thought the trainer was rude though. 
I think Tom Durkin was trying to remember who he was during the stretch run! :lol:
Here’s a beautiful photo of the winner.
Yes he was sold for $9500 as a yearling, but he was resold after his wins in Canada last year for six figures, so not exactly a rags to riches story.
As to why he was a longshot, well he hadn’t shown much of any form since leaving Canada. He finished last in the BC Juve and then went to New Mexico and couldn’t win there either, finished 2nd in a stakes at Sunland in Feb and 4th in the Sunland Derby (non-graded) in Mar.
He was a justifiable 50/1 shot.
Lets see what he does from here out. He could very well be a one hit wonder, but he sure looked impressive today.
[QUOTE=Bugs-n-Frodo;4065209]
I kind of thought the trainer was rude though. :([/QUOTE]
I did too- but then I tried to give him the benifit of the doubt – I think he is just a straight shooting cowboy type who was probably really sick of being asked about his leg and driving the horse to the derby-like whats the big freakin deal? His reaction- as off as it was- was just his way of saying–the horse I am training just one the freaking Kentucky Derby and you want to still talk about the drive here???
I love Calvin- he was awesome- I bet he will be all over the talk shows, so much personality- you just couldn’t help be excited for him!
I feel like a traitor to my home state I was all set to bet $10 on him to win, and was convinced by my helpful boyfriend to do a place-show bet instead. Now he says he’s not my boyfriend because I’ve been so mean to him since the race…But happy that the NM horse won! Off to make peace with the BF now…
