Mine That Bird Returns to Churchill Downs

Jun 08, 2009 Gary Yunt

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird returned to Churchill Downs on Monday morning after his third-place finish in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes (Grade I).

            Mine That Bird was unloaded in front of Barn 40 at 10:40 a.m. and walked back to Barn 42 by exercise rider Charlie Figueroa. Mine That Bird grazed for 20 minutes before being led back into Stall 22, which has been his home here since he arrived on April 21 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

            “It was an uneventful flight and he handled the trip well,” trainer Chip Woolley said. “He came out of the Belmont great. He has held up well and hasn’t lost any weight. I am tickled with where he is at now.”

            Woolley said he has not decided on when Mine That Bird will return to the track.

            “He is definitely going to walk for three or four days and then I may back-track him a couple of days to get the kinks out,” Woolley said.

            Future plans for Mine That Bird, owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, remain on hold.

            “I want to watch him the next three or four days and make sure everything is well,” Woolley said. “If it is, we’ll come out with a plan. We have not made a decision, but there are six options we are looking at.”

            Woolley said he plans to stay in Louisville through the weekend, when he, jockey Calvin Borel and owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach will receive their Kentucky Derby trophies between live races on Saturday’s Reunion Day featuring the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

“My brother Bill may come in after that and that will give me and Charlie a chance to go home to New Mexico,” Woolley said.

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