Mine That Bird breezes at Ruidoso

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds Monday morning at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. He is spending a brief period in the state en route to Southern California, and was to lead the post parade for the $1.9 million All American Futurity for Quarter Horses on Monday.

Mine That Bird worked at about 7:15 a.m. under Ruidoso-based jockey Martin Bourdieu.

"He looked real sharp," said Chip Woolley, who trains Mine That Bird. "I was real pleased with his work."

Mine That Bird galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80, according to Walt Wiggins, the head clocker at Ruidoso. He said he was the lone horse on the track Monday morning. Ruidoso traditionally does not open for training on All American Futurity Day, which is the final day of the meet and has an early post of noon.

Mine That Bird is training toward a start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Goodwood at Santa Anita on Oct. 10. He is to be ridden in the race by Calvin Borel. Mine That Bird is owned by New Mexico-based connections, Buena Suerte Equine and Double Eagle Ranch. Double Eagle Ranch on Monday will have Winners Cartel in the All American.

Woolley said Mine That Bird is scheduled to be at Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell, N.M. on Thursday, to be part of an open house event. From there, he will head to California, where in addition to the Goodwood he is being pointed for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

Mine That Bird got into Ruidoso on Sept. 2 from Saratoga, where he had been training toward a start in the Grade 1 Travers. But he was forced to miss the race after undergoing surgery to repair an entrapped epiglottis. For precautionary reasons, he had an endoscopic exam following his workout Monday and showed no signs of entrapping, said Woolley.

"He was clean as a whistle," said Woolley.