Mine That Bird breezes half-mile

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed a half-mile in 47.95 seconds between races Monday at the Downs at Albuquerque, where his trainer, Chip Woolley, has a division of horses. He is scheduled to van out Thursday afternoon to Santa Anita, where he is to run in the Grade 1, $350,000 Goodwood on Oct. 10.

Mine That Bird worked between the first and second races Monday, with clockers Tim McKernan and Tom Pierce III following him through an opening quarter-mil in 24.89 seconds and galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.76. Jockey Jose Barajas was aboard for the move, which came on a track rated fast. Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby, has the mount in the Goodwood.

"He worked fine, looked good," said Woolley.

Woolley said Mine That Bird should arrive at Santa Anita about two or three o'clock Friday morning. The horse has been in New Mexico, the home state of his owners, since Sept. 2. He flew in from Saratoga, and while in New Mexico led the post parade for the Grade 1, $2 million All American Futurity for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs.

Mine That Bird has breezed three times in New Mexico, once at Ruidoso Downs and twice at Albuquerque. The Goodwood is expected to serve as his stepping-stone to the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic.