"Mine That Bird" is the little horse that could. Sired by Birdstone (winner of the 2004 Belmont Stakes) and with Mining My Own as his mare, Mine That Bird “Bird” was born small and with splayed legs. His genetics didn't stop the spirited young horse from pursuing his racing heritage.

Trainer David Cotey purchased Mine That Bird and moved him to Canada where he and his partners raced the gelding at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. After winning four of six starts, Bird was voted the 2008 Canadian Champion two-year-old Male Horse. Unable to race Bird in Canada as a three year old, Mr. Cotey sold the Champion Horse to the New Mexico partnership of Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine.

Bird’s new owners brought in U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer, Richard Mandella to train Bird for the 2008 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. Bird’s return to the U.S. ended in a last place finish. It was at this point that Chip Woolley was brought on as his trainer, and Bird proceeded to place second in the Borderland Derby and fourth in the Sunland Derby.

Coming off of these places and based on his career earnings in graded stakes races, Bird now qualified for the Kentucky Derby. With a broken foot and a cast on his leg, Woolley loaded Mine That Bird into a horse trailer pulled by his pickup truck and drove the 1,700 miles in 21 hours from New Mexico to get to the big race.

Arriving at Churchill Downs, Bird was introduced to his new Jockey, Calvin Borel. The two hit it off quite well, proceeding to make Derby History in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.