Mine That Bird shocked Derby 135 (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

When Calvin Borel guided 1-5 favorite Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) to a 20 1/4-length romp in Friday's Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, few could have imagined that triumph would be the first half of a shocking Oaks/Derby double for the Louisiana-born rider, who guided the unheralded 50-1 shot MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) to a stunning 6 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $2,177,200 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine, and trained by Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr., Mine That Bird pulled the second-biggest upset in Derby history, eclipsed only by Donerail's famous 91-1 shocker in 1913.

Under a patented rail-skimming ride by Borel, Mine That Bird rallied from last, exploded past Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) in midstretch and rapidly opened up on the field. The gelding, who had never won on dirt before and was coming off a pair of losses at Sunland Park, completed 1 1/4 miles on the sloppy, sealed track in 2:02 3/5.

Mine That Bird also became the first Canadian champion juvenile to wear the roses since Sunny's Halo in 1983. The winner of the Grey S. (Can-G3), Swynford S. and Silver Deputy S. on Woodbine's Polytrack last season, he rewarded his backers with payouts of $103.20, $54 and $25.80.

Soon after the gate opened, Mine That Bird dropped back, and Borel was content to let him lope along in last of 19, as far as six lengths adrift of the next-to-last runner, Mr. Hot Stuff (Tiznow).

Mine That Bird flew away from his Derby rivals (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

Turning for home, Pioneerof the Nile appeared to be advancing effortlessly, drawing to within a half-length of Join in the Dance through a mile in 1:37 2/5. As the leaders swung into the stretch, Pioneerof the Nile hinted that he was ready to hand incoming Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his fourth Derby, and jockey Garrett Gomez his first. The dark bay colt did not accelerate, however, and found himself in an all-out dogfight. Although he finally subdued Regal Ransom, Pioneerof the Nile was then confronted by a surging Papa Clem and Musket Man (Yonaguska).

Meanwhile, Mine That Bird had been uncorking a monstrous move from dead last on the turn, reminiscent of Borel's Derby-winning ride aboard Street Sense in 2007. After squeezing through a tight spot on the fence, he roared past a number of rivals as if they were standing still, and he suddenly burst into contention in midstretch. Before Pioneerof the Nile, Musket Man and Papa Clem knew what hit them, Mine That Bird flew past to win in a manner as authoritative as it was surprising.

Indeed, his 6 3/4-length Derby margin ranks as the largest since Triple Crown legend Assault's eight-length waltz in 1946. Borel celebrated with his customary flourishes, becoming only the seventh jockey in history to turn the Oaks/Derby double, and the first since Jerry Bailey in 1993.

Calvin Borel celebrated his second Derby win (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

Completing the order of finish were Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]), Summer Bird (Birdstone), Join in the Dance, Regal Ransom, West Side Bernie (Bernstein), General Quarters (Sky Mesa), Dunkirk (Unbridled's Song), Hold Me Back (Giant's Causeway), Advice (Chapel Royal), Desert Party (Street Cry [Ire]), Mr. Hot Stuff, Atomic Rain (Smart Strike), Nowhere to Hide (Vindication), 7-2 favorite Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy) and Flying Private (Fusaichi Pegasus).

I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even), the 3-1 morning-line favorite, came up with heat in his left front ankle on Saturday morning and was scratched.

Bred by Lamantia, Blackburn and Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, Mine That Bird was a $9,500 bargain yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October. Originally campaigned by Dominion Bloodstock et al, he finished fifth in a Woodbine maiden special weight last July. Mine That Bird was dropped in for a $62,500 tag next out and promptly scored by 1 3/4 lengths. Former trainer David Cotey then gave him a chance in stakes company, and he sprang a mild upset at 10-1 in the Silver Deputy.

After capturing the Swynford and Grey, he was purchased privately by Double Eagle Ranch and transferred to Richard Mandella. Mine That Bird made only one start for the Hall of Famer, checking in last of 12 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He reappeared with Woolley at Sunland over the winter, and in his debut for his new trainer, he was a terrifically game runner-up in the Borderland Derby, beaten a neck by Scorewithcater (Even the Score). Mine That Bird failed to reproduce that effort in his subsequent start, a retreating fourth in the Sunland Derby.

The Derby winner is the first foal from the unraced Smart Strike mare Mining My Own, who has since produced an unnamed juvenile colt by Yonaguska. Mining My Own, a half-sister to stakes heroine Golden Sunray (Crafty Prospector), is herself out of Canadian Oaks runner-up Aspenelle (Vice Regent). This is the family of Ambassador of Luck (What Luck), the champion older mare of 1983.