Mine That Bird, upset winner of the Kentucky Derby in May, and trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley enjoyed a few weeks at home in New Mexico after leaving Saratoga Race Course in late August.
It was their first time back since leaving for Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. at the end of April. After winning the Derby, they ran second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont and West Virginia Derby.
Still recovering from a minor throat procedure, Mine That Bird was forced to miss Saratoga's premiere race, the $1 million Travers. He is scheduled to run again in the Grade 1 $350,000 Goodwood at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 10 over Santa Anita's artificial Pro-Ride surface.
Woolley vanned Mine That Bird to Santa Anita over the weekend, arriving at 2 a.m. on Sept. 25. Six hours later, the Birdstone gelding was jogging on the main track.
“He’s doing good, real good,” Woolley said. “It was a typical transport and he settled in well. He didn’t eat all his feed, but that’s not out of the norm for him. He ate good and drank good, so that’s all right."
Woolley plans to give Mine That Bird two works over the track a week apart, the first either Monday or Tuesday. The Goodwood is being used as a prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic in November; only two Derby winners have won the Goodwood: Ferdinand in 1987 and Silver Charm in 1998.
Calvin Borel, aboard for the Derby shocker, will be back in the irons for the Goodwood. Also being pointed to the race are 2008 Travers winner Colonel John, Parading, Tiago and Richard's Kid.
Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting opens on Wednesday and runs through Nov. 8.
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