Take That, Stallion Derby
Mine That Bird, pulling away from the stallions (Jamie Newell)
I’m not a big believer in the “racing gods”. However, if there are racing gods, I have to think they had something special in mind for the likes of the Dolphus Morrisons of the game when a gelding who fetched a mere $9,500 at Keeneland’s yearling auction won the Stallion Derby.
To make it even better, one of Mine That Bird’s owners Mark Allen, was quoted on the purchase of their unlikely winner:
We wanted a racehorse, not a stallion.
Take that, Stallion Derby!
Posted by dana on May 03 2009
Filed Under: :), Geldings, 2009, Mine That Bird, Sweet Revenge, Kentucky Derby, Breeding, Let Horses Race, Derby Trail, Racing
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They bought him for almost half a million, didn’t they? Big investment for a non-stallion.
In some of the old stakes races, early part of 20th century, geldings weren’t permitted to run. Fillies and mares were, but no geldings.
I heard the Dolphus interview after the Oaks and was floored. How stupid! They have the best three year old in the country and they are going to stick with the fillies? No accounting for ignorance - i guess. Still holding out hope that she runs in the Belmont. Unfortunately, they have painted themselves in the corner with their comments.
Great posts on this subject…thanks!
You’re right T, thanks! It was the yearling auction prices, they paid $400k to purchase him. Wow, it seems like geldings might get even less respect than fillies and mares! I had been thinking of making a T-shirt that says “Thank God for Geldings” for a while, maybe now is the time!
K - I noticed that they already announced plans to run her in the Acorn on the Belmont card yesterday, insult to injury that the 2009 Triple Crown winner is running on the Belmont under card. But I’m jazzed to go see her!
You need to make that shirt! There’s that old poem, “Blessed are the Broodmares,” but I have always said “Blessed are the Geldings,” for all they do, especially in light of the fact that so many face a dim future if they don’t succeed on the track. But “Thank God for Geldings” sounds better!
From what I understood, despite Rachel Alexandra’s connections’ belief that the TC races are “for stallions,” they weren’t opposed to running her against the boys in later races. I could be wrong on that. Even if she doesn’t, I think that this point I’d rather see her take on Zenyatta (and Stardom Bound if she returns to form).
Given the conditions of yesterday’s track, the life trajectory of Mine that Bird might be described as Nuts to Soup.
Reachingly,
Dolphus Wannabe
K - T shirt started! The most common reason I heard for Zenyatta not winning HOY last year was that she didn’t run in open company. Talk about a double standard, “they should stick with their own kind” on the one hand while “they’re not good enough” to take the top honor if they do. Bullshit.
But yes, I’d love to see RA, Zenyatta and Stardom Bound race as well! In fact, I’d still like to see IWR, QR, FF, Dunkirk and PotN get together at the Travers!
E - I think I’m gonna have to drop the conversation ball on that one!
I also did not agree with the connections of Rachel Alexandra
committing to the Acorn so quickly.
While I’m not in favor of a filly trying the Belmont stakes,
I think she would fit very well in The Preakness stakes.
I hope cooler heads will prevail.
That would be really exciting amidst a
suddenly a very horrid sophomore colt contingent.