Mine That Bird works half-mile at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Mine That Bird was sent through his first workout since finishing third as the favorite in the June 6 Belmont Stakes when he breezed an easy half-mile in 51 seconds Monday morning over a fast track at Churchill Downs.

Going shortly after the renovation break, and with jockey Calvin Borel keeping him several paths off the inner rail, MineThat Bird went in fractions of 12.80 seconds, 25.20, and 38.20 before galloping out five furlongs into the clubhouse turn in 1:04.40.

Mine That Bird is scheduled to make his next start in the Aug. 1 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park in Chester, W.Va. Trainer Chip Woolley most likely will breeze the gelding twice more at Churchill, including next Monday, before leaving in time to get in two works at Mountaineer prior to the $750,000 West Virginia Derby.

Assuming all goes well in that 1 1/8-mile race, Mine That Bird then will be vanned to Saratoga, where he will train toward the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes on Aug. 29. The year-end goal is the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic over the Pro-Ride synthetic surface at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.

Mine That Bird, owned by Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach, won the May 2 Kentucky Derby at 50-1, then was second at 6-1 in the Preakness before finishing third as the 5-4 favorite in the Belmont.