2009 Kentucky Derby Winner Teaches Us Hope

According to the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated (Saturday, May 2), Mine That Bird, a three-year-old bay gelding won the 2009 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs led by rider Calvin Borel. Borel who is affectionately knicknamed "Bo-Rail" for riding his winners close to the rails, had a rough start when his horse got pinned between two others coming out of the gate as number 8. The 50 to 1 longshot was dead last until a small opening and a lot of luck came their way and the horse and rider swiftly flew by all the other contenders to become the second biggest upset to win in Kentucky Derby history. The last time was 1913 with Donerail a 90 to 1 longshot. Lucky ticket holders were rewarded $103.20 for placing a $2 bet on such odds. The trifecta paid roughly $41,500.

Mine That Bird is out of sire stallion Birdstone, who made history at the 2004 Belmont Stakes a few years back with an upset, and dam Mining My Own. He foaled on May 10, 2006 and was bred in Kentucky, but most of his short winning history takes place in Canada. He was sold to owner/trainer David Cotey for $9,500, who turned him over to Hall of Famer trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley for special training at Buena Suerte Equine in Roswell, NM. Rider Calvin Borel has 25 years of experience under his belt and was coming off a victory riding another horse in Kentucky just days before this race. He also took Street Sense to victory in the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

You can find out more about Mine That Bird by going to the NTRA statistical site here:
http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=35663

Tom Dawson of the El Paso Times did a nice pre-review of Mine That Bird which included information about other famous longshots such as Donerail (1913) at 91.45 to 1; Giacomo (2005) 50.30 to 1; Gallahadion (1940) 35.20 to 1; Charismatic (1999) at 31.30 to 1; and Proud Clarion (1967) at 30.10 to 1. Mine That Bird is also only the 2nd gelding (neutered male) in the last 80 years to win the Kentucky Derby, Funny Cide was the other according to the Huffington Post. He was also running on a sloppy wet track which some horses appear to like and was also fortunate when favorite to win "I Want Revenge" was scratched due to an injury.

Trainer Woolley who sported crutches due to a motorcycle accident, had driven the horse by trailer from New Mexico for 21 hours for the race. No horse from New Mexico has ever won the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Calvin Borel is 5'4" tall and weighs approximately 116 lbs. A testament to the magnificent race was Mine That Bird's performance which left the nearest 2nd place contender 6-3/4 lengths behind.

Mine That Bird's performance teaches us that we should believe in ourselves even when the odds are against us.