Kentucky Derby Winner runs in $750k West Virginia Derby
Mine That Bird, the Kentucky Derby winner, will be making his first start since finishing third as the favorite in the June 6th Belmont Stakes, when he starts this Saturday in a small field in the Grade II, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park in Chester, West Virginia.
Mine That Bird will not only will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to race at Mountaineer, but the first winner of a Triple Crown event to race anywhere in the state, only six horses – and just five wagering interests – were entered in the 1 1/8-mile West Virginia Derby. Mine That Bird, with Mike Smith to ride, figures as a solid favorite over the speedy Big Drama in what trainer Chip Woolley conceded Tuesday could be a race that unfolds with a tricky pace scenario.
Woolley said he intends to ship Mine That Bird to Saratoga on Monday after the West Virginia Derby to start preparing for the Travers.
Eight other stakes also are carded for Saturday at Mountaineer. Night racing is normal there, but special first post on West Virginia Derby Day is 2:00 p.m. EDT.
Fox Sports Net will provide live coverage of the West Virginia Derby from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT.
The West Virginia Derby post time is slated for 5:45 p.m. EDT. The field, in post position order with weights and riders:
Coupled Entries – Soul Warrior, Sunday Sunrise
PP Horse A/S Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Soul Warrior (KY) 3/C M Mena 111 S M Asmussen
2 Mine That Bird (KY) 3/G M E Smith 122 B L Woolley, Jr.
3 Awesome Rhythm (KY) 3/C J McAleney 113 J A Ross
4 Sunday Sunrise (KY) 3/C C J Lanerie 111 S M Asmussen
5 Big Drama (FL) 3/C E Coa 111 D Fawkes
6 Monty’s Best (FL) 3/C E R Da Silva 113 R Baker
BetAmerica’s in house handicapper, Hal Wafer has offered up his quick insight to the West Virginia Derby with these free picks…in order of finish. You can get Hal’s Free Pick of the Day, just by logging into your BetAmerica.com account.
1st-Big Drama – Is rounding into top form at the right time for this one, expect him to fire a great race at nice odds.
2nd-Mine that Bird – Looks to be training well for return, expect another solid performance at what should be a very low price, should have nose around at the wire.
3rd-Monty’s Best – Is moving forward in form cycle at right time, should be flying at the end.
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