Mine That Bird worked six furlongs in 1:12.40, handily, over Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track July 29 with Calvin Borel aboard in preparation for the Whitney Invitational (gr. I) at the Spa on Aug. 7.
“I was real pleased. I thought it was his best work yet,” said Lukas of the move on the 2009 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner. “We won’t work him between now and the Whitney.”
Lukas was also happy with the 4-year-old gelding’s recent physical development.
“He’s put on a lot of weight and muscle,” said Lukas. “Calvin remarked about how much he has changed.”
With the Whitney expected to draw Quality Road, Blame, and Haynesfield, Lukas knows Mine That Bird has a formidable task ahead.
“We’re definitely going into the deep end,” said Lukas. “You can’t go into a race like this soft.”
Mine That Bird has made only one start this year in the Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIIT) on July 4 at Churchill Downs, finishing eighth.