One day later I'm still trying to wrap my head around Mine That Bird's improbable Kentucky Derby (G1) victory.
For a little historical perspective, the Birdstone colt ran his final quarter mile in about :23.80 according to the official race chart. My research indicates that was tied for the fourth fastest final quarter in the Derby's 135-year history.
Secretariat owns the fastest final quarter, kicking home in :23.20 in the 1973 edition. Runner-up Sham came home in about :23.80.
Rumbo ran his final quarter in :23.40 in the 1980 derby, but still couldn't catch Genuine Risk. And 1964 Derby winner Northern Dancer scooted home in 24 flat, with runner-up Hill Rise gaining two lengths on the leader for an estimated final quarter in :23.60.
Secretariat, Sham, Hill Rise, and Rumbo all competed on dry, fast tracks, and Secretariat's time of 1:59.40 still stands as the record. Mine That Bird finished in 2:02.66, winning by 6 3/4 lengths in the slop.
One thing is for sure, Calvin Borel's fearless, rail-skimming ride on Mine That Bird was one for the ages.
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12 comments:
My only question is do I hold on to my win ticket on the off chance he wins the Triple Crown, or cash out now? ;)
I'm not an expert as far as collector's value goes, but at 50-1 I'm cashing now!
Would you care to share with us how you picked him? :-)
I've gone back and watched his race replays to see if some hint was there, and I just don't see it. That was a remarkable transformation.
Pete, did you watch those Canada races? Also, watch that last breeze by Borel!
No, I just watched the Sunland races. Will check out the Woodbine races now...
RR-
The stakes wins at Woodbine on 8/23 and 10/5 were nice runs, full of potential. WAYYY better than the Sunland performances. I had not seen those previously.
For some reason his win on 9/14 in the Swynford Stakes is not on my free replay service (calracing.com).
I'll post a link to replays of his three stakes wins at Woodbine later today.
The ticket is on my 'fridge for now, mainly just because it makes me happy to see it.
I will cash it soon though, and plan to have fun with the money.
No worries, I am not a genuis -- a close friend of the family, who is from the Great White North, was high on this horse and told me to bet him as a live long shot. Mine that gold, if you will. =)
A friend from the Great White North ... lol
Sounds like a betting conspiracy to me!
Hi Pete,
I'd say that was chaos theory in action, no way could anyone have confidently picked that horse to win, happens sometimes.
Dad
I have not seen any one mention Calvin's getting up on the horse looking back and waveing bye bye to the field just past the 16th pole.
Am I the only one that saw it?
Pete,
People seem to forget that Mind that Bird was the Canadian 2YO Champ and he was only beaten 9+ length in the BC and was wide the whole race.
In his 2 races at Sun the Jockey took hold of him both times he started to make his move. In the Sun Derby he would have had a 10 length lead if not held at the 3/8 pole. I thougt the Derby was a fluke but am changing my mind. He looks like he can run a 34 and change 3/8 any time he wants to you just have to let him keep going.
Dan-
Thanks for posting. The Woodbine races were fairly impressive (although not terribly fast). The day he won the Grey Cup, Van Lear Rose won the filly race with a time that was four lengths faster.
That being said, I agree with you. MTB's run in the Derby was no Giacomo clunk-up. That was very real acceleration. I don't care what his odds were or how unpredictable the outcome was going in, that was a serious move.
The big question is, can he do it again?
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