LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Mine That Bird dug up a miracle for a stunning win in the Kentucky Derby with a dynamic run through the mud at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
The 3-year-old gelding and jockey Calvin Borel found room along the rail at the top of the last straight then pulled away for a 6 1/2-length win in the second biggest upset in the race’s 135 years. His margin was the largest since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946.
“It was a Street Sense move,” Borel said, referring to the same rail-hugging ride he gave that colt to win the Derby two years ago. “They can only go so fast, so far. When I hollered at him, he just went on.”
Sent off at 50-1 odds, Mine That Bird ran 2,000 meters on a sloppy track in 2:02.66 and paid $103.20 to win – the second-largest payout in Derby history behind Donerail ($184.90) in 1913
Pioneer of the Nile finished second for freshly minted Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner. Musket Man was another nose back in third, followed by Papa Clem.
Friesan Fire, the 7-2 wagering favorite of 153,563 fans, was 18th in the 19-horse field.
Earlier, I Want Revenge became the first morning-line favorite to be scratched on Derby Day after inflammation was detected in the colt’s left front ankle. The injury wasn’t believed to be career-threatening but worrisome enough to prompt trainer Jeff Mullins and owner David Lanzman to withdraw.
Mine That Bird was squeezed coming out of the starting gate, but Borel took a firm hold and wrestled the horse to the rail while they were in last place.
They were 12th and going strong with a quarter mile (400 meters) to go, after working their way around Atomic Rain. Borel quickly angled Mine That Bird back to the inside with three-sixteenths (300) to go and shot the gelding through a tight spot approaching the eighth pole.
“I had enough room,” Borel said. “He’s a small horse.”
Once free, Mine That Bird quickly accelerated toward an improbable victory.
“I salute Calvin for his terrific ride,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, whose Derby losing streak extended to 24 races. “It’s an amazing story. It just shows you how special this race is. Anything can happen.” (AP)