Mine That Bird to Bid Farewell at Churchill

Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at 50-1 but winless since, will bid farewell to his fans at Churchill Downs Nov. 28, closing day of the track’s fall meet.

Mine That Bird, owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, will appear in the paddock and parade before patrons. The schedule hasn’t been finalized, Churchill officials said Nov. 19.

Mine That Bird, a 4-year-old gelding by Birdstone , was retired from racing after his 10th-place finish in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) at Churchill, where he has been based with trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He eventually will return to New Mexico, where his owners live.

Mine That Bird won the Derby, finished second in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and came home third in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). At the time, he was trained by New Mexico-based Chip Woolley, who became quite popular with fans and the media during the gelding’s Triple Crown run.

Mine That Bird, after the Triple Crown, finished third in the West Virginia Derby (gr. II). He was the first Kentucky Derby winner to race in the fixture at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.

Mine That Bird retired with a record of five wins, two seconds, and two thirds in 18 starts for earnings of $2,228,637.