The Kentucky Derby winner is finally getting the respect he deserves. The 50-1 longshot winner of America’s greatest race was outshone by a monster filly in the Preakness, but put in a performance that proved his worthiness with a fast-closing run for second place. And now, with Rachel Alexandra out of the picture, the last leg of the Triple Crown stands as the ultimate test for the little gelding from New Mexico. Respect has been a long time coming. And when he enters the Belmont gates on Saturday, he will be the overwhelming favorite both in the eyes of fans who love the underdog and for handicappers, alike.
Mine That Bird will be facing nine rivals in the 1 ½-miles test. Among his most accredited rivals are Charitable Man, Dunkirk, Chocolate Candy, and Summer Bird. While the speed factor will be laughable in the Belmont, a far cry from the quick paces the Bird was able to run at in the Derby and Preakness, Mine That Bird’s late-running style lends to the long distance. Charitable Man, the resounding winner of the Peter Pan Stakes, is likely to try a front-running performance similar to Da’ Tara’s upset in last year’s Belmont, though he may be forced to set off the pace if Miner’s Escape should take the early lead. If Mine That Bird doesn’t love the Big Sandy, as Belmont has been dubbed, the other Bird in the race could end up picking up the pieces. With his blazing late kick, Summer Bird has proven to be a capable colt on the up-swing. A terrible run in the Kentucky Derby kept him from getting in the money, but a smaller field here and a longer stretch may give him the edge he needs.
As far as Calvin Borel is concerned, the Belmont is already won. The rider of Mine That Bird is looking to become the first jockey in history to win a Triple Crown on different horses. Borel predicted his victory on Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, and now says that Mine That Bird will win the Belmont. I can understand why he’s say that about Rachel, who he called “the greatest horse I’ve ever ridden”… but that was Rachel. Mine That Bird’s chances don’t seem quite as certain, but Borel seems to be the magic man with the fabulous season he’s been having.
The forecast for Elmont, New York, on Belmont day is 80 degrees and sunny, a far cry from the dirge of rain the past several days. Some of the horses who didn’t look so fabulous galloping over the slop may brighten up with sunshine, but it may be all they can do to look good compared to Mine That Bird when they enter that turn for home. How can you dislike this little horse that could? He’s got the pedigree, the experience, the talent, and the courage to do amazing things. But we already knew that… it just took the Bird to drop out of the sky for us to realize it.
The 141st running of the Belmont Stakes will be covered live this Saturday, June 6, on ABC starting at 5:00pm ET. Post time is scheduled for 6:27pm ET.