Mine that Bird Owners Propelled into Stardom After Derby Upset

The owners of Mine That Bird were not well known owners before yesterday, much like Mine That Bird himself. The owners and trainers making the most pre-Kentucky Derby buzz were Bob Baffert, sentimental favorite Tom McCarthy, and others that owned horses more likely to win. But the Mine That Bird owners, Mark Allen and Leonard Blach, came to Churchill Downs anyway. Now all of a sudden, Mine That Bird and his owners are the talk of Kentucky after the 50-1 horse won by over six lengths yesterday.

The attention after Mine That Bird's win was first taken by trainer Calvin Borel, who made a big show in his post-race interview and a celebratory ride through the track. But as the press scrambled to find out more about Mine That Bird, the owners got their share of press as well.

Mark Allen and Leonard Blach bought Mine That Bird in 2008, prior to the Breeders Cup, for $400,000. This was a bit more expensive than the price for Mine That Bird when he was a yearling, as he only went for $9,500. That is a far cry from the steep prices that some of the other Kentucky Derby owners paid for their horses.

Allen and Blach won the Kentucky Derby on their first time out. Blach is the more experienced one of the pair, having spent 10 years in equine businesses before buying a breeding farm.

Allen comes from a family that has made a bit of infamy in other areas. His father, Bill Allen, was a figure in the recent trial of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Allen gave up information against Stevens, in return for a plea bargain over charges of bribery when he ran oil field service company Veco.

When Mark Allen bought Mine That Bird with Blach, the money came from the sale of Veco, after it was disbanded due to Bill Allen's alleged charges. Allen has not yet been sentenced, but got immunity for his son in the deal.

Stories like this were a novelty good for a few lines at the end of a Kentucky Derby article, since Mine That Bird and his owners had little chance of winning. Now, with the sudden triumph, stories of Mine That Bird, Allen and Blach should take up more space heading into the Preakness Stakes.

All of this is assuming that the horse will be set to go in the Preakness. Allen spoke for trainer Chip Woolley today in saying that Mine That Bird is not certain for the Preakness yet, since he was expected to skip it before winning the Kentucky Derby. So after the hoopla dies down, the now famous owners have another big decision to make.

Sources

SunHerald- "Two good buddies, one very good time" www.sunherald.com/sports/story/1317600.html

News Miner- "Horse owned by family of former Veco boss Bill Allen wins Derby" newsminer.com/weblogs/dermot-cole/2009/may/02/bill-allens-son-claims-kentucky-derby-prize/

ESPN- "Mine That Bird not certain for Preakness" sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown09/news/story