No one expects Mine That Bird to sweep the Triple Crown after posting the second-biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history, but that doesn’t mean he won’t give it the old college try.
Yesterday trainer “Chip” Woolley Jr., dreaming the impossible dream that his diminutive gelding can become the 12th Triple Crown winner ever and the first since Affirmed in 1978, announced that Mine That Bird will run in the May 16 Preakness Stakes. He will van to Pimlico early next week and be stabled in Stall 40 of the Preakness stakes barn, traditionally reserved for the Derby winner.
“It’s good for the sport,” Woolley said. “You cannot have a Triple Crown winner without having the Derby winner in the Preakness. I have never been to Baltimore, but it looks like I won’t be able to say that in a few days.”
Mine That Bird came out of his shocking Derby runaway — by 6 3/4lengths, the biggest margin since Triple Crown winner Assault won by 8 in 1946 — in “super” shape, Woolley said. He jogged a mile over the sloppy track yesterday morning at Churchill Downs under exercise rider Charlie Figueroa.
Woolley said he will not breeze Mine That Bird before the Preakness. Of course, he’ll be ridden again by Calvin Borel, whose rail-hugging ride in the Derby keyed the electrifying victory.
“To come from last and go by 18 head, that’s just incredible,” Woolley said.
Two years ago, riding Derby winner Street Sense, Borel looked to have the Preakness won until Curlin came charging to nail him on the wire.
Trainer David Fawkes confirmed that Big Drama will run after the colt worked six furlongs in 1:14 at Calder yesterday. Winner of last year’s Delta Jackpot, Big Drama has raced just once this year, finishing first in the seven-furlong Swale at Gulfstream Park before being disqualified to second for bumping The Ones for Phil in the stretch.
“When you see a 50-1 shot win (the Derby), it can only help the Preakness,” Fawkes said. “There might be some trainers who may not have thought their horses had Triple Crown abilities but now might take a chance.”
Tom McCarthy, the 75-year-old trainer who was the Derby’s feel-good story, is strongly considering General Quarters for the Preakness after the Blue Grass winner ran 10th in the Derby.
