Casey's Shadow Goes to Louisville
When Bennie Woolley Jr. got a chance to run his 3-year-old in the Kentucky Derby, he hitched the ole' horse trailer to his pickup and, in spite of a broken right leg, the New Mexico former quarter horse trainer, rodeo rider, self-described cowboy, and novice Derby trainer drove 21 hours to Kentucky.
Having driven cross-country a few times myself, I know that's an ordeal without the broken leg.
The 135th Kentucky Derby had a lot of the elements of the 1977 Walter Matheau film Casey's Shadow where a small time country horseman trains a champion quarter horse to beat the odds in the All American Futurity.
The multimillionaire elites and their famous trainers—not to mention the bettors—ignored Woolley and his $9,500 racehorse, many of them surprised that the horse managed to get into the lineup of such a prestigeous race.
Now they know. Surprises must run in the family, 'cause Mine That Bird is the son of Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid in 2004. And somehow they forgot Mine That Bird was the 2008 Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Male.
Gotta' admit I couldn't see the race real well, but Mine That Bird was a blur to everyone at Churchill Downs when he came flyin' down the stretch to win by 6 ¾ lengths.
Considerin' our favorite was scratched from the race, this year's Derby wasn't as big as usual for us. But it did prove two of AHM's ironclad racin' rules—never bet on the gray (Dunkirk and General Quarters), and always put a few dollars on "the field."
Oh, and we might actually see this Derby winner keep on racin' for a few years 'cause he sure won't be goin' to the breedin' shed. Mine That Bird is a gelding.
Ouch.
posted by Harrison at 10:29 PM
Having driven cross-country a few times myself, I know that's an ordeal without the broken leg.
The 135th Kentucky Derby had a lot of the elements of the 1977 Walter Matheau film Casey's Shadow where a small time country horseman trains a champion quarter horse to beat the odds in the All American Futurity.
The multimillionaire elites and their famous trainers—not to mention the bettors—ignored Woolley and his $9,500 racehorse, many of them surprised that the horse managed to get into the lineup of such a prestigeous race.
Now they know. Surprises must run in the family, 'cause Mine That Bird is the son of Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid in 2004. And somehow they forgot Mine That Bird was the 2008 Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Male.Gotta' admit I couldn't see the race real well, but Mine That Bird was a blur to everyone at Churchill Downs when he came flyin' down the stretch to win by 6 ¾ lengths.
Considerin' our favorite was scratched from the race, this year's Derby wasn't as big as usual for us. But it did prove two of AHM's ironclad racin' rules—never bet on the gray (Dunkirk and General Quarters), and always put a few dollars on "the field."
Oh, and we might actually see this Derby winner keep on racin' for a few years 'cause he sure won't be goin' to the breedin' shed. Mine That Bird is a gelding.
Ouch.
posted by Harrison at 10:29 PM
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