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The following pages contain historical chronicles from multiple sources documenting the "Mine That Bird" story. Some shower praise, some critical, some humorous and others downright silly but all contributed to his fame and are certainly a good read. Credits and sources are attached to each where possible and are the sole property of the publication or photographer noted. UFO or not, we thank you for your hard work and dedication to your craft, and we appreciate how you brought the Bird's story to the world.  - Mark Allen, Dr. Leonard P. Blach and the "BIRD".                                                                                                       

A New Era Begins
Mine That Bird Heads Back to Churchill - By PETE HERRERA for SureBet Racing News
Roswell, NM – May 19, 2010 - Mine That Bird is going back to Churchill Downs to join the stable of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Dr. Leonard Blach, the New Mexico vet who along with Double Eagle Ranch owner Mark Allen co-owns Mine That Bird, announced Lukas would be taking over the conditioning of the gelding.
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Kentucky Derby 135 Winner Mine That Bird returns to Churchill Downs, moves to Lukas Barn - by John Asher - Official release from Churchill Downs, KY - Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine’s Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), returned to the scene of the greatest accomplishment early Thursday evening when he arrived at Churchill Downs and took up residence in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will now guide the Derby winner’s career.
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Breeders' Cup ultimate goal for Mine That Bird
By Don Agriss, Sports Network The Sports Network
May 21, 2010 - Now that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his barn, the veteran horseman needs to map out a way to get the gelding to the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Owners Leonard Blach and Mark Allen decided this week to transfer the four- year-old from Chip Woolley to Lukas. Mine That Bird was vanned from New Mexico to Churchill Downs and arrived early Thursday evening. read entire story
 
MINE THAT BIRD BACK ON THE TRACK AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – May 21, 2010 - It had been nearly 10 months, but on Friday morning 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird stepped back on the track where he became a household name in taking the Run for the Roses.
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Lukas has high hopes for Mine That Bird
Edited release - by Time Union
Churchill Downs - May 24, 2010 - Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has a Kentucky Derby winner in his barn. Now, let’s see what he can do with him.

Mine That Bird, who hasn’t won a race since his shocking score at 50-1 in last year’s Derby, is back in Louisville. The 4-year-old gelding was transferred from trainer Chip Woolley to Lukas last week by majority owner Mark Allen. read entire story
 
Mine That Bird has first work for Lukas
Marty McGee, Daily Racing Form
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - May 26, 2010 - Less than a week after coming into the D. Wayne Lukas barn, Mine That Bird had his first timed breeze when going three furlongs in 35.20 seconds early Wednesday over a fast track at Churchill Downs. read entire story
 
Mine That Bird breezes sharp half-mile
By Marty McGee - Daily Racing Form
Churchill Downs - June 2, 2010 - Mine That Bird had his second workout for trainer D. Wayne Lukas when he breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds over a fast track shortly after the renovation break Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. read entire story
 
Mine That Bird owner discusses future
Mike Curran - Ruidoso News
June 3, 2010 - Congenial and courteous as always, Dr. Leonard Blach, joint-owner of Mine That Bird, recently agreed to reveal his current thoughts concerning the famous winner of the 135th Kentucky Derby.

"We gave the horse a much-needed 6-month rest at Mark Allen's (Blach's partner in the ownership of Mine That Bird) Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell," Blach said.

"Since March 15, however, Mark and Charlie Figueroa have been training Bird on a 5/8-mile track at the Double Eagle. read entire story
 
MINE THAT BIRD WORKS FIVE FURLONGS IN 1:02 UNDER BOREL - by John Asher | June 08, 2010 - Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, worked five furlongs in 1:02 after the renovation break under jockey Calvin Borel. read entire story
 
Mine That Bird Works Bullet Five Furlongs at Churchill Downs - June 15, 2010 - Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine’s 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, working in company with Bird Empire, drilled five furlongs in :59.60 over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. read entire story
 
Mine That Bird 2010 debut getting closer - Churchill Downs - June 23, 2010 - Frequently one given to hyperbole, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas had a ready quote as soon as he dismounted from his pony upon returning to his Churchill Downs barn after he watched Mine That Bird go through his latest workout Tuesday morning. read entire story
 
MINE THAT BIRD ZIPS IN WORKOUT, COULD RACE THIS WEEKEND
by John Asher | June 28, 2010 l Churchill Downs
Mine That Bird, upset winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), turned in a sharp five-furlong work on Monday at Churchill Downs in preparation for a possible return to racing at the historic track this weekend. read entire story
 

Mine That Bird Returns, Makes Turf Debut In Sunday's Closing Day Firecracker Handicap

by Gary Yunt | Churchill Downs l July 01, 2010 l Photo by Reed Palmer Photography

Mine That Bird 6.28.10 work Mine That Bird reached out under Calvin Borel near the finish of a fast five-furlong workout that served as his final prep for a comeback run in Sunday

Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine’s Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), will race for the first time in 2010 and make his career debut on the grass in Sunday’s 20th running of the $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) Presented by Thorntons. read entire story
 
Just about everything has changed for Mine That Bird
Derby winner has Lukas and a different style - By Alicia Wincze - Lexington Herald- Leader
July 4, 2010 - The connections of Mine That Bird readily state the laid-back gelding residing on the Churchill Downs backside is not the same horse who stunned the racing world nearly 14 months ago. read entire story
 
Firecracker only a warm-up - Churchill Downs - July 4, 2010 - Mine That Bird, with regular rider Calvin Borel aboard, was making his first start in nearly eight months and his first since owners Mark Allen and Leonard Blach took him from Chip Woolley and turned him over to Lukas. Trailing for much of the trip, Mine That Bird, the 5-2 favorite, began passing rivals far too late, getting past a handful of opponents down the stretch to finish 7 3/4 lengths behind the winner. read entire story
 
Trainer expects brighter days ahead for Mine That Bird
 Mon 5th, July 2010 (Sports Network) - Eight months away from racing competition proved too much for 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to overcome in his first start of 2010. The four-year-old gelding finished a disappointing eighth in Sunday's Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs.
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