Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on May 3, 2009 22:04:26 GMT -8
I taped the Kentucky Derby, because we had the farrier out at the ranch for most of the day. I watched it later that evening, and I was so glad I taped it. Watching it once was simply not enough!
All the favorites were granted extensive coverage before the Derby. The announcer was even hollering where the favorites were in the pack throughout the race. Then, from out of nowhere, this little horse zips by on the rail and completely puts the field of 18 other horses AWAY! It was really hilarious at one point when the announcer is still calling the favorites, and you can hear him hesitate at one point because he doesn't know where Mine That Bird came from, and wasn't sure which horse it was.
Mine That Bird is a little gelding - someone mentioned less than 16hh. He was purchased for $9,500 - the cheapest purchased horse in the Derby, competing against horses that cost several million dollars. His trainer loaded him in his own truck & trailer in New Mexico and drove him 21 hours to bring him to the Derby. He ended up being a 50-1 long shot when the race started, and ran dead last for most of the race. On the last turn, you can see this little horse start moving like a runaway train from the back of the pack. He flew by the other horses like they were loping in a Western Pleasure class.
I have not gotten that excited about a race since I remember Secretariat winning the Triple Crown in the 70's. Mine That Bird was just phenomenal, inspiring, and one of the announcers even compared him to Seabiscuit.
You really have to give the credit to the jockey though. Calvin Borel rode with nerves of steel and expert guidance. Here is the video of the race. When the horses go into the first turn, Mine That Bird is so far in last place, he is almost out of the camera range. Same thing when they enter the back stretch, but start watching a little rocket wearing pink silks on the rail when they come into the final turn. AMAZING! ;D
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv8x9x5A49s
All the favorites were granted extensive coverage before the Derby. The announcer was even hollering where the favorites were in the pack throughout the race. Then, from out of nowhere, this little horse zips by on the rail and completely puts the field of 18 other horses AWAY! It was really hilarious at one point when the announcer is still calling the favorites, and you can hear him hesitate at one point because he doesn't know where Mine That Bird came from, and wasn't sure which horse it was.
Mine That Bird is a little gelding - someone mentioned less than 16hh. He was purchased for $9,500 - the cheapest purchased horse in the Derby, competing against horses that cost several million dollars. His trainer loaded him in his own truck & trailer in New Mexico and drove him 21 hours to bring him to the Derby. He ended up being a 50-1 long shot when the race started, and ran dead last for most of the race. On the last turn, you can see this little horse start moving like a runaway train from the back of the pack. He flew by the other horses like they were loping in a Western Pleasure class.
I have not gotten that excited about a race since I remember Secretariat winning the Triple Crown in the 70's. Mine That Bird was just phenomenal, inspiring, and one of the announcers even compared him to Seabiscuit.
You really have to give the credit to the jockey though. Calvin Borel rode with nerves of steel and expert guidance. Here is the video of the race. When the horses go into the first turn, Mine That Bird is so far in last place, he is almost out of the camera range. Same thing when they enter the back stretch, but start watching a little rocket wearing pink silks on the rail when they come into the final turn. AMAZING! ;D
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv8x9x5A49s