“Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will have a new jockey when he makes his next start on Aug. 1 in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.  Mark Allen, who owns Mine That Bird with Leonard Blach, said Wednesday that he and trainer Chip Woolley were not yet prepared to name a replacement for Calvin Borel but that they wanted a firm commitment through the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. That span of several months … Read More »

Kent Desormeaux finally won the Belmont , guiding 11-1 underdog Summer Bird  past questionable 2nd place finisher Dunkirk. Dunkirk clearly fouled Charitable Man down the homestretch but was given a pass by the stewards. Calvin Borel definitely moved Mine That Bird too soon and eventually was unable to stay with the winner.

The only way that Mine That Bird loses is if he has been overworked in the past 6 weeks.

This could only happen in horse racing. We could have a triple crown jockey. Sorry, Calvin Borel, you should have given Mine That Bird the mount in the Preakness. Even though Bird should easily win the Belmont, his record is blemished at the hands of his own favorite jockey.

This poor horse who only won the Derby and got parked out of a victory in the Preakness can’t find a stable jockey. My suggestion: Edgar Prado for once and the future, There is no way I would let Borel back on this horse after he deserted him in the Preakness. Remember his sire was Birdstone, a Belmont winner. The filly will duck the Bird and not race in the Belmont.

No filly has won the Preakness since 1924. Rachel Alexandra will not be able to run away from this field. She will be challenged early and not have the breezy run she had in the Oaks. The fast past up front will again play right into the Derby winner’s hands, setting up another come from behind win. Mike Smith for Calvin Borel is an upgrade. The following is my predicted order of finish: 

First           Mine … Read More »

Terp Talk Thursday Night 5-14-09

Host–Bruce Posner Co Host –Dino
Guest– Dan Groot, Captain of Men’s Lacrosse
Subjects—Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse in the NCAAs Against Syracuse, Preakness

Click here for Maryland Terp Talk

Upset winner Mine That Bird might do the unthinkable and skip the 133rd Preakness. The owners and trainer of the winning  derby horse realize that his best race would be the Belmont , since Mine That Bird was bred for distance. Stay tuned!!