Mine That Bird jogs at Churchill; Rachel back to track this week

Mine That Bird jogs at Churchill; Rachel back to track this

week

After two days off and a 9 1/2-hour van ride from Baltimore, Kentucky Derby

(G1) winner MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) returned to the track at Churchill Downs

for a light jog on Tuesday.

The gelding had regular exercise rider Charlie Figueroa in the saddle as he

headed to the track around 7:15 a.m. (EDT). It was Mine That Bird's first trip

to the track since his runner-up finish to the Kentucky Oaks (G1)-winning filly

RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) in Saturday's Preakness S. (G1).

Trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. said Mine That Bird jogged one mile the

wrong way over a fast surface.

"He went good, he looked good," Woolley said. "He was bucking and playing a

little, so we're in good shape I think."

Woolley said Mine That Bird would on gallop on Wednesday as the Kentucky

Derby winner continues his preparation for the $1 million Belmont S. (G1), the

third jewel of racing's Triple Crown, on June 6. There is no set schedule for

Mine That Bird's next work.

The trainer's phone continues to ring with offers from agents of jockeys who

hope to pick up the mount on Mine That Bird for the Belmont. Mike Smith, who

rode Mine That Bird in the Preakness, cannot ride because of a previous

commitment in California. Calvin Borel, who was aboard for his 50-1 upset in the

Derby, is committed to ride Rachel Alexandra, but her status for the Belmont has

not been decided by majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Woolley said he would discuss the issue with Mine That Bird's owners and they

hope to have a decision in "a couple of days."

The runner-up finish in the Preakness improved Mine That Bird's career record

to 10-5-2-0 and lifted his earnings to $2,011,581.

Meanwhile, Rachel Alexandra walked under Asmussen's shedrow on her second day

back at Churchill Downs following her historic win in the second jewel of the

Triple Crown.

Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to return to training on Wednesday. Asmussen

said she would go to the track with his second set of horses around 6:15 a.m.

Her Preakness victory marked the sixth consecutive win for Rachel Alexandra,

who has a record of 11-8-2-0 with earnings of $1,618,354.