Bird of Paradise

So we wanted a story and we sure got one. In fact, it's so much better than any we were hoping for (General Quarters, Friesan Fire) because no one saw it coming. Including the jockey.

I'm speaking, of course, of Mine That Bird's amazing win in the Kentucky Derby and even more so of the Hall of Fame ride jockey Calvin Borel gave the horse. I heard him interviewed on the radio on Sunday morning and he was, as always, totally honest, admitting he had no idea the horse would respond the way he did, but he rode him like you have to ride in the Derby--like you have a shot and you are going to win. In fact, he said he rode him "like a good horse" and what a horse he turned out to be.

He runs just like his father Birdstone, who came from out of nowhere to win the Belmont and spoil Smarty Jones' Triple Crown Bid. From last to first, like he could run all day. I think it is safe to say that distance is not a factor for this horse and the Belmont should be a romp in the park--especially if it happens to rain a little.

I was impressed with the horse. He pulled away coming down the stretch under a strong hand ride from Borel and came back hardly wet. Plus for all the talk about his laconic trainer, I like his style. He says he will wait and see what the horse "tells" him about competing in the Preakness and he also purchased the horse as a gelding because he wanted a race horse not a stallion.

All of which is incredibly good for the sport. Yes, it would have been an equally good feel-good story for General Quarters to win one for the retired high school principal, but this is even better. A $9,500 horse makes racing accessible for an awful lot of people and has the racing elite shaking their heads in wonder. A win like this reminds us what racing is all about in the first place: the fact that anything can happen.

I'm also thrilled that this horse is going to be around for a while because there is no rush to the breeding shed. If I were Alex Waldrop (president of the NTRA) I'd race to embrace the Mine that Bird Camp because they are going to do a lot for the sport by simply being themselves.

I'm on board the Bird train. In fact, I'm singing his song!