Mine That Bird breezes

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed a half-mile in 47.43 seconds Monday at the Downs at Albuquerque, where his trainer, Chip Woolley, has a division of horses. He worked between the first and second races as he continues his preparations for the Grade 1, $350,000 Goodwood at Santa Anita on Oct. 10.

"He worked super," Woolley said. "This track's a lot faster than anything we've worked on of late.

"He cruised around there the first quarter and picked it up down the lane. I'm really happy. He was strong."

Mine That Bird worked under jockey Brian Theriot. Clockers Tim McKernan and Tom Pierce III tracked the pair through fractions of 23.94 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 35.95 for three furlongs. They also carried Mine That Bird galloping out five furlongs in 59.87 seconds.

Mine That Bird flew to New Mexico earlier this month after spending the summer at Saratoga. He was tentatively scheduled to arrive Monday at Santa Anita, but he might not travel for another week, said Woolley.

"We're just holding off going to California until the air clears up out there from the fires," said Woolley.

Woolley said Mine That Bird is settled in and training at Albuquerque and could have one more work at the track before traveling to Santa Anita. Mine That Bird, whose owners reside in New Mexico, arrived in the state on Sept. 2 and then breezed at Woolley's base of Ruidoso Downs on its closing day, Sept. 7. While in town, the horse led the post parade for the Grade 1, $2 million All American Futurity.

Jockey Calvin Borel has the mount in the Goodwood. Beyond that race, Mine That Bird is being pointed for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.