NEWS
Borel will not ride Mine That Bird
Posted: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 1:22 PM
MINE THAT BIRD
Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer photography
by Ed DeRosa
Wanting a commitment for their gelding rather than a series of one-ride stands, the connections of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner and Canadian champion Mine That Bird are seeking a new jockey for their horse when he starts in the West Virginia Derby (G2) on August 1 at Mountaineer Race Track.
Mark Allen, who co-owns the Birdstone gelding with Leonard Blach, D.V.M., said Wednesday that he wants the gelding’s next jockey to commit to riding the Derby winner through the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita Park.
“This is what I want,” Allen said. “I want a rider who’s committed to us through the next three races: the West Virginia Derby, the [Shadwell] Travers Stakes (G1), and the Breeders’ Cup.
“I wish that rider were Calvin [Borel] because we love Calvin, and he’s a good rider and a good man, but we need a firm commitment. I don’t want to be looking for a rider at the last minute before each race.”
Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird but chose to ride Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Rachel Alexandra in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) instead. Racing Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith rode Mine That Bird to a second-place finish behind Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness but did not ride in the Belmont Stakes (G1) because of a commitment to ride for owners Jerry and Ann Moss in the Charlie Whittingham Handicap (G1) the same day at Hollywood Park. Borel returned aboard Mine That Bird in the Belmont and finished third.
“Mike helped us out when we needed some help, but if Zenyatta goes in the Classic, then that would leave him out,” Allen said of Smith being the regular rider aboard the Moss’s undefeated champion Zenyatta. “We want a commitment.”
Borel will ride Warrior’s Reward for trainer Ian Wilkes in the Dwyer Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Belmont Park, and Borel could retain that mount for the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on August 1 at Saratoga Race Course.
Allen said that he and trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. have a few riders in mind for Mine That Bird. Allen said he wants a rider who can commit through the Breeders’ Cup and who is comfortable riding a horse with Mine That Bird’s closing style.
“We’ll want a jockey who likes to come from off the pace and has some guts because running the way [Mine That Bird] does will put you into some pretty tight spots,” Allen said.
Mine That Bird will ship to Mountaineer in Chester, West Virginia, on July 22, and Allen expects the gelding to return to Churchill Downs in Louisville to prepare for the Travers on August 29 at Saratoga.
On June 29, Mine That Bird had his first workout since the Belmont on June 6. He went four furlongs at Churchill with Borel aboard, but it is unclear who will work the gelding in the future. Mine That Bird was one of only two horses to race in each of this year’s Triple Crown events.
Ed DeRosa is news editor of THOROUGHBRED TIMES
