Mine That Bird was an unheralded three-year-old gelding when he whipped the Derby field at a 1 1/4 miles, the same distance as today’s Classic at Santa Anita Park.
“This horse is supposed to go a mile-and-a-quarter,” Woolley told Reuters. “These mile-and-an-eighth races, it makes it a little tougher on him.”
Mine That Bird has not reached the winner’s circle since his stunning Derby upset but has raced at almost every distance but his preferred 1 1/4 miles.
In his final prep before the Classic, the Kentucky-bred son of Birdstone finished sixth at the Grade I Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita at a mile-and-an-eighth.
“People don’t give him nearly enough credit for his last outing,” Woolley said. “He made up eight lengths in the stretch against a really, really slow pace. There won’t be that slow pace this time.”
The undefeated five-year-old mare Zenyatta is the early 5-2 favorite in the 13-horse Classic field and could become the first female to win North America’s richest race.
“I’m not going to say it’s the best field but it could be the deepest Classic field ever,” Woolley said. “Who would have dreamed you’d get 10 Grade I winners from the current year in one race together? It’s unbelievable.”
Since winning the Derby with Calvin Borel, Mine That Bird has alternated between Borel and Mike Smith in the irons. Borel gets the call Saturday since his regular mount, Rachel Alexandra, will not be running. Smith will ride Zenyatta.
Mine That Bird, currently rated a 12-1 chance for today’s showdown, likes to come off the pace but needs a clean trip to reach the winner’s circle.
During the Preakness, his path in the stretch was blocked, while at the Belmont Stakes, Borel cut him loose too early.
During a third-place finish at the Grade II West Virginia Derby in August, it was Smith’s turn to get over-anxious.
“In West Virginia, he didn’t run his race and Mikey didn’t run Mine That Bird’s race,” the trainer said.
