Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Mine That Bird has returned to Churchill Downs, the sight of his best victory, to assist usher within the Kentucky Derby Museum’s new Long Shots exhibit, which opens to the general public March 28.
It was 15 years in the past that the little bay Birdstone gelding squeezed by way of the smallest of openings alongside the rail beneath Calvin Borel to seize the lead contained in the three-sixteenths pole earlier than operating away to an emphatic 6 3/4-length romp within the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1), surprising the world at odds of 50-1.
“We’re more than happy to have Mine That Bird,” mentioned Kentucky Derby Museum president and CEO Patrick Armstrong. “We protect the historical past of the Kentucky Derby. We take that very critically. To be capable of honor Mine That Bird’s win by having him right here on the Kentucky Derby Museum is vital to us and vital to our followers. We’re very a lot wanting ahead to the three-week keep that we’ll have Bird with us.”
Watch: Mine That Bird on the Kentucky Derby Museum
Armstrong mentioned Mine That Bird’s fifteenth anniversary gave the Museum the proper alternative to create a long-discussed Long Shots exhibit. The exhibit will debut on the Museum’s Legends Series with Maker’s Mark the night of March 27.
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The exhibit options artifacts from the 5 largest longshots to ever win the Derby—Donerail (1913, 91-1), Rich Strike (2022, 80-1), Country House (2019, 65-1), Mine That Bird, and Giacomo (2005, 50-1). The artifacts embody silks worn by Donerail’s jockey, Roscoe Goose, within the Derby.
Mine That Bird arrived at Churchill Downs March 24 and has taken up residence within the Museum’s Helen B. “Penny” Chenery Stable. Museum patrons can go to the Derby winner from March 27 by way of April 19.
Mine That Bird on the Kentucky Derby Museum
“If you ask me what I bear in mind about Churchill, it was the followers,” mentioned Mark Allen, who raced Mine That Bird with Dr. Leonard Blach as Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine. “It’s a superb story for racing.”
They acquired Mine That Bird late in his 2-year-old season. He gained the Kentucky Derby for coach Chip Woolley and concluded his profession beneath the care of Hall of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas.
Retiring following a Tenth-place end within the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs, Mine That Bird went to reside on Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch in New Mexico.
“He’s been getting fats and old like me,” Allen mentioned of the now 18-year-old’s recent exercise.
Mine That Bird has, now and again, made public appearances for parades and different occasions in New Mexico. “Every at times he will get up and prances round,” Allen mentioned.
Allen additionally introduced Mine That Bird to quickly reside on the Kentucky Derby Museum in 2013.
Allen offered Double Eagle Ranch in 2020. His Derby winner then hung out at HV Ranch close to Lone Oak, Texas, and most just lately close to Ponca City, Okla.
“I’ve met lots of people I would not have met,” Allen mentioned of the journey he is been on with Mine That Bird. “He positively modified my life.”
