LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2, 2009
Mine That Bird Wins Kentucky Derby
Late Surge Delivers 50-1 Longshot One Of The Biggest Upsets In The Race's 135-Year History
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Calvin Borel rides Mine That Bird to a victory in the 135th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
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Photo Essay Kentucky Derby Top thoroughbreds descend on Churchill Downs for the 135th "Run for the Roses."
The 3-year-old gelding and jockey Calvin Borel found room along the rail deep in the stretch then pulled away for a 6¾-length win to give the 50-1 long shot one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the race.
It was the largest margin of victory in the Derby since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946. Barbaro won in 2006 by 6½ lengths.
The Derby win was the second in three years for Borel, who used a similar stretch run to send Street Sense to the winner's circle in 2007.
"Calvin did a super job," winning trainer Chip Woolley said. "I just can't say enough about the way things went for us. Calvin picks a spot, every thing fell together. We were really lucky to get through there."
Mine That Bird joins Giacomo, who won in 2005, as one of the most unlikely victors in the Run for the Roses.
The son of Birdstone covered the 1¼ miles in 2:02.66 and paid $103.20 to win — the second largest in Derby history behind Donerail ($184.90) in 1913.
Pioneerof the Nile held off Musket Man for second, but neither was a match for the unheralded horse from New Mexico, who became the ninth gelding to win the Derby and just the second in the last 80 years. Funny Cide won in 2003.
Friesan Fire, who became the favorite after I Want Revenge was scratched earlier in the day, finished 18th in the 19-horse field.
Borel thrust his right arm in triumph as he crossed the wire, and Woolley hobbled to hoist the trophy. The trainer from New Mexico broke his right leg in a motorcycle accident over the winter and drove his stable's star 21 hours to Churchill Downs.
"They'll know who I am now," Woolley said from underneath his massive black cowboy hat.
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Add a Comment
- The good Lord made a path for him to win.
Posted by mrs_entity at 6:01 AM : May 4, 2009
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Yes She certainly did............ (probably had a bet down) - Reply to this comment
- The good Lord made a path for him to win.
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- ... gelding
Ooooh, that sucks.
Posted by nancy_naive
I saw a commercial the other night that said, "Love your pet, spay and neuter." Instantly my Jack Russell jumped off the couch yelling "Don't love me!!... Don't love me!!" - Reply to this comment
- Forgot to say -- sire is Birdstone out of Mining My Own.
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- "Gelding" means we actually might see him race as a healthy 4- and 5-year old and find out how good he really is; racing needs this.
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- Someone believed in him all the time " Chip Woolley " but the horse did have to qualify and they paid 100,000 late fees to get him in the race, I'd say that was really believing in him... He is a Great Horse !
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- I know nothing about horse racing, but, I am so happy that this particular horse won....a horse no one believed in showed them all!!!!!!!
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- I bet on Lunch Hour. It was twelve to one.
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- Drat it! A long-shot at 50-1---finally wins---and I don't have ANY bets placed on this overachiever! What a flipping shame!
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- Amazing, he road the horse like a race car. The animal has sick power and guts to jam through the crowd the way it did.
It is up on youtube for any who missed it. - Reply to this comment
