Mine That Bird breezes five furlongs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was sent through another workout Monday over a fast track at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in 1:02 on a cool, sunny morning.

Going shortly after the renovation break, and with Jamie Theriot aboard, Mine That Bird galloped out six furlongs into the clubhouse turn in 1:15. The 1:02 clocking was the 12th-fastest of 18 works of the morning at the five-furlong distance.

It was the third workout for the gelding since he finished third as the favorite in the June 6 Belmont Stakes. He previously breezed a half-mile on June 29 and July 7.

Trainer Chip Woolley has said that Mine That Bird, owned by Mark Allen and Leonard Blach, will make his next start in the Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1 at Mountaineer Park in Chester, W.Va. Woolley told Churchill officials Monday that he will breeze the gelding next Monday, and probably will ship him out of Churchill on July 24.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has the mount on Mine That Bird in his next two scheduled starts, including the $1 million Shadwell Travers on Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

Mine That Bird won the 135th Kentucky Derby on May 2 before running second in the May 16 Preakness and third in the Belmont. Calvin Borel rode him in the Derby and Belmont.

* Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 over a muddy track at Monmouth Park on Sunday. He is scheduled to run Aug. 2 in the $1 million Haskell Invitational there.