NEWS
Allen confirms Mine That Bird for Preakness
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2009 10:41 AM
by Ed DeRosa
Assuming all goes well with his training over the next 12 days, Mine That Bird will start in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 16 at Pimlico Race Course.
The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner jogged on Monday at Churchill Downs, his first visit to the track since his 6 3/4-length victory on May 2.
“If he keeps going like he is, then we’re going to run,” said Mark Allen of Double Eagle Farm, which co-owns the Birdstone gelding along with Leonard Blach, D.V.M., of Buena Suerte Equine. “He went well this morning, and he was enjoying it out there. He looked real nice.”
Allen said that Mine That Bird would remain at Churchill to train for the Preakness at least until May 12. Trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley, normally based in New Mexico, will oversee the preparations.
“He’ll ship a few days before the race, we still haven’t decided exactly when,” Allen said. “We want to train here at Churchill. He’s comfortable here, he likes the surface, and we just don’t want to take him out of his routine.”
Mine That Bird, last year’s Canadian champion two-year-old male, has won five of nine races and has earned $1,791,581.
Connections pointing their Derby starters to the Preakness include runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, third place finisher Musket Man, fourth-place finisher Papa Clem, Join in the Dance (seventh), General Quarters (tenth), and beaten favorite Friesan Fire (18th), who grabbed a quarter in his left front and will be evaluated.
Potential new shooters include Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot Stakes (G3) winner Big Drama, Derby Trial Stakes (G3) winner Hull, Withers Stakes (G3) winner Mr. Fantasy, Sham Stakes (G3) runner-up Take the Points, Federico Tesio Stakes winner Miner’s Escape, Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) runner-up Conservative, and maiden winner Sky Gate.
Ed DeRosa is news editor of THOROUGHBRED TIMES
Possible Preakness starters
|
Horse |
Most recent race |
Finish |
|
Mine That Bird- confirmed |
Kentucky Derby (G1) |
1st |
|
Pioneerof the Nile |
Kentucky Derby |
2nd |
|
Musket Man |
Kentucky Derby |
3rd |
|
Papa Clem - confirmed |
Kentucky Derby |
4th |
|
Join in the Dance |
Kentucky Derby |
7th |
|
General Quarters |
Kentucky Derby |
10th |
|
Friesan Fire |
Kentucky Derby |
18th |
|
Big Drama - confirmed |
Swale S. (G2) |
1st (DQ placed 2nd) |
|
Mr. Fantasy |
Withers S. (G3) |
1st |
|
Take the Points |
Santa Anita Derby (G1) |
4th |
|
Miner’s Escape |
Federico Tesio S. |
1st |
| Hull - confirmed |
Derby Trial S. (G3) |
1st |
| Conservative |
Coolmore Lexington S. (G2) |
2nd |
| Sky Gate |
maiden race in England |
1st |
