Scheduled Monday Work by Mine That Bird Delayed A Day

Jul 06, 2009 By John Asher

A wet track prompted trainer Chip Woolley to delay by a day a scheduled Monday work at Churchill Downs for Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

The Birdstone gelding instead galloped once around the one-mile Churchill Downs track that was officially listed as muddy. Regular exercise rider Rudy Gallegos was aboard for Monday’s training activity.

Woolley said Mine That Bird would breeze just after the mid-session break for track maintenance on Tuesday, July 7 and jockey Jamie Theriot would be aboard for the move. The Kentucky Derby winner should hit the track around 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

“The track was a little wet on top today and had no reason to rush him, so we just decided to wait until tomorrow to work him,” said Woolley. “We can work him back in six days next Monday and be back on our regular schedule.”

Mine That Bird finished third to Summer Bird in his most recent effort in the Belmont Stakes (GI) on June 6. He is being pointed toward a return to competition in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (GII) at Mountaineer on Aug. 1.

In other training moves over the muddy surface, King of the Roxy continued tow work toward his comeback for trainer Todd Pletcher with a five-furlong move in 1:01.40, which was the best of seven works at the distance. Early Times Mint Julep (GIII) winner Acoma breezed four furlongs for trainer David Carroll in :49.80 as she points toward a possible run in the Beverly D. (GI) at Arlington Park. Stone Legacy, a distant runner-up to Rachel Alexandra in the Kentucky Oaks (GI), breezed four furlongs in :49.40 for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.