7/22/2010

Mine That Bird turns in penultimate work for Whitney

MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1), worked a mile Wednesday morning at Saratoga in preparation for his next start, the Whitney H. (G1) on August 7.

With Calvin Borel aboard, the four-year-old gelding covered the mile in 1:40 over the fast dirt at the Oklahoma Training Track.

"I loved his work," said Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who took over Mine That Bird's training in the spring. "It was a nice move; for a horse to work a mile in 1:40 on the training track -- on any track -- is pretty good, and he came home with good energy.

"I worked him a mile because I think he needed a little more," added Lukas, who had sent out Mine That Bird to finish eighth in the July 4 Firecracker H. (G2) at Churchill Downs in his 2010 debut. "He'll work one more time, and then it's time to dance the dance."

The trainer noted that on July 21, 1973, Secretariat worked a mile in preparation for the Whitney S. (G2), in which he was beaten by Onion. Lukas also said that on July 21, 1985, he personally was the underbidder at $13 million on an unraced yearling named Seattle Dancer, who was purchased by the British Bloodstock Agency (England) on behalf of a partnership for $13.1 million at the Keeneland July selected yearling sale. He went on to earn $152,412 in a five-race career.

"I dodged a bullet with that one," Lukas said.

Owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, Mine That Bird will be seeking his first victory since taking the Derby as a 50-1 longshot, having subsequently finished second in the Preakness S. (G1) and third in the Belmont S. (G1). In his final three starts of 2009, Mine That Bird was third in the West Virginia Derby (G2), sixth in the Goodwood S. (G1) and ninth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

On the New York worktab

Multiple Grade 1 hero COURT VISION (Gulch), runner-up by a neck in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) two back, covered a half-mile over Saratoga's firm Oklahoma turf training course in :50 on Wednesday.

Kentucky Juvenile S. (G3) winner LOU BRISSIE (Limehouse), who suffered his first career loss when second in the Bashford Manor S. (G3) most recently, logged a half-mile in :51 2/5 on the fast main track. The Neil Howard charge could show up in Sunday's Sanford S. (G2).

Allowance scorer ABSINTHE MINDED (Quiet American) blew out a bullet four furlongs in :48 on the fast Oklahoma dirt training track in advance of Saturday's Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Dual Grade 2-placed NORTHERN GIANT (Giant's Causeway), fourth in the Red Legend S. last out, breezed a half-mile in :49.

Grade 2 runner-up PROTESTING (A.P. Indy), fourth in the Ashland S. (G1) two back, posted four panels in :49 2/5.

Multiple Grade 2 king ARSON SQUAD (Brahms), sixth in the Stephen Foster H. (G1) last out, breezed three-quarters in 1:13 4/5 on Aqueduct's fast main track.

On the Delaware worktab

Four-time stakes winner and Sunshine Million Sprint runner-up PASHITO THE CHE (Flatter) logged three furlongs in :38 1/5 over the fast main track at Delaware Park on Wednesday. He's been sidelined since March 15 when second by a head in a Philadelphia Park allowance.

Grade 2 victor ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy), fifth in the Suburban H. (G2), worked a half-mile in :48 4/5.

Stakes winner PRINCE ROONEY (Tale of the Cat), the trailer in the Smarty Jones S. and Hopeful S. (G1) in his last two, completed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5.

Multiple stakes winner THUNDER BREW (Milwaukee Brew), fifth in the Choice S. last time, worked in 1:03 2/5.

from brisnet.com