It was Calvin Borel’s day. On Friday, jockey Borel was aboard Rachel Alexandra who won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths. There was another high profile win for Calvin Borel in the form of Miss Isella in the Louisville Distaff in the Friday card. Borel’s mount in the Kentucky Derby was Mine That Bird, champion freshman in Canada last year, who had come to Churchill Downs after two runs at Sunland Park in New Mexico. The odds on Mine That Bird were over 50 to 1 and would have been 100-1 if there had been track bookmakers in America. Yes, Mine That Bird came through with a smart rail-hugging ride from Calvin Borel to make a mockery of the star-studded Derby field. A mere $9,500 purchase, Mine That Bird is by Birdstone who is by Grindstone. Mine That Bird is out of Mining My Own, a Smart Strike mare.
The track at Churchill Downs came up sloppy. There had been heavy rain as Derby day unfolded. Rain stopped as post time for the 135th Kentucky Derby approached. I Want Revenge was a scratch Saturday morning. Nineteen sophomores answered the starter’s call. Friesan Fire was a tepid 7-2 favorite.

The pace was pretty fast. Join In The Dance called the tune with Regal Ransom in close attendance. Pioneerof The Nile and Papa Clem lay close. Dunkirk stumbled leaving and that may have cost him. Mine That Bird was 19th and last. Jockey Borel made his move about 800 metres out and was able to pass horses. With a burst of speed with 300 metres left, Mine That Bird struck the front and kept on. The margin was six and three quarter lengths. Pioneerof The Nile was the bridesmaid. Musket Man, winner of the Illinois Derby, ran on to be third. Papa Clem took fourth.

Mine That Bird is trained by Bennie L Wooley, Jr who was on crutches after a motor cycle mishap. Mark Allen and Leonard Blach own Mine That Bird. Trainer Woolley, Jr said, “I have no feelings at the moment. I cannot believe this. Borel gave him a great ride. I lost him some way from home. I began looking for him in the stretch and when I spotted him, he had gone into the lead. Now, people will know who I am. May be, I can find a better way to get home than driving a truck.”

Owner Mark Allen spoke. “We were confident. Stay in the rear, try to catch up and it all worked. All the credit goes to jockey Borel.”

Mine That Bird is going to the Preakness at Pimlico on May 16.

It was Borel’s second Derby win in three years. In 2007, Street Sense gave Borel his first Derby victory. Street Sense ran the same way and followed the same route.

Rainbow View is the 11-10 choice in the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. Jimmy Fortune rides the John Gosden-trained filly. Rainbow View, a daughter of Dynaformer, was four for four as a freshman. The 1000 Guineas will mark her first start as a three year-old. At 6-1, Serious Attitude, Pat Smullen up, is the second favorite. Serious Attitude, winner of all three races in 2008, makes her 2009 reappearance on Sunday.

Sea The Stars was cut to 4-1 for the Epsom Derby after his win in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas. Sea The Stars is by Cape Cross. Urban Sea, an Arc winner, is the dam. Urban Sea is by M iswaki. Sea The Stars won the 2000 Guineas without the benefit of a prep race. Delegator, Jamie Spencer up, led 250 metres out and hung left late and Sea The Stars, with a great Kinane steer, produced what was needed.

Sea The Stars will race in the Derby. Delegator, it was reported, will stick to 1600-metre trips. Gan Amhras and Rip Van Winkle were third and fourth and will take their chances in the Derby to be run on June 6.

John Oxx, trainer of Sea The Stars, spoke about his plans. “He travelled wonderfully well throughout the race. You could see from a long way out that he was going to make it count. Everyone says that he’s a Derby horse, thinking he is half brother to Galileo-but he is by Cape Cross and shows a lot of speed. I did not want to miss the Guineas and I am delighted.”