The moist track and sky’s overcast didn’t stop Mine That Bird from taking first in the 135th Kentucky Derby.
"It’s certainly a dream alright," said owner Leonard Blach about winning the Derby. "Dream a little bit and your dreams will come through."
After I Want Revenge scratch early Saturday morning, it made an opening for a new favorite—Pioneer of the Nile, who came in second and Musket Man finishing in third. Pioneer of the Nile’s trainer Bob Baffert said of the win, "Those cowboys, they came with a good horse."
Jockey Calvin Borel is a two-day champ at Churchill Downs. He took the Kentucky Oaks on Friday riding Rachel Alexandra and then tackled a ‘sloppy track’ at 6:25 p.m. on Saturday, to take the finish by a heavy lead—by 6 ¾ margin over no. 16.
"[He’s a] really small horse, just skipped across the track," said Borel. "Best think to do is just sit back and chilly."
Trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. said that Borel did a great job Saturday.
"Calvin did a super job. Calvin picked his spot, everything fell together," said Woolley just after the race.
And due credit was also given to the 3-year-old colt.
"I really thought this horse had a lot of power and [we] hadn’t seen it yet," said Blach.
This was a major upset for the Derby. In fact, Mine That Bird started last on the first turn.
"It’s not the first mile or half mile that counts, it’s the last," said Borel, who became choked up when talking about his mom and dad and how he wished that they could be here to see his achievements.
Mine That Bird won, despite 50:1 odds, in front of the 7th largest crowd in history at Churchill Downs. More than 153,500 were in attendance at the 135th Kentucky Derby.
This isn't the first Derby win for the jockey and according to him, it won't be the last.
"There’s not enough Derbys to win. If you win one, you want to win another."
