Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2009, except within the Gatewood family.

The 50-1 shot, Mine That BIRD came from dead last on a muddy track at Churchill Downs to take the 2009 Kentucky Derby, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish…” You can see it here
He ran 1 1/4 mile in 2:02.66 (Secretariat, 1973, still holds the record at 1:59 2/5)

Makes me wish I’d had $2 ticket on that boy.

Did anyone remember that Grandpa had a horse named Master BIRD? Master Bird took the Hotel Capital Handicap at the Lincoln Races August 14, 1948. He ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:23.3. on June 21, 1949, Master Bird won the 6th race at Ak-Sar-Ben (1 mile and 70 yd) in 1:48.3

And of course, the beautiful filly, RACHEL ALEXandra led the pack from wire to wire and held Mine That Bird in second place to take the Preakness trophy and the blanket of Black Eyed Susans at Pimlico Park. (1 3/16 mi. in 1:55.08)

You can see her here.

So when it comes time for the Belmont, we have an Exacta ticket made in Gatewood Heaven.

Sure wish I knew someone in New York…