Mine That Bird Prances Through Dust Bowl Days Parade
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Mine That Bird in 2009 at Churchill Downs
Citizens who turned out for the Dust Bowl Days Farm and Ranch Festival July 16 in Sayre, Okla., might not have expected to see a legend in their midst, but Mine That Bird clearly knows how special he is.
The 16-year-old gelding who upset the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at odds of 50-1 pranced his way through Sayre's hometown parade Saturday with Joe Merrick in the saddle. Co-owners Mark and Tawnya Allen drove behind them with the trailer that carried the son of Birdstone to Churchill Downs.
"We don't see 'em like that down in Sayre every day," the announcer said as Mine That Bird passed his stand.
WATCH: Mine That Bird in Dust Bowl Days Parade
Campaigned by Mark Allen's Double Eagle Ranch and Leonard "Doc" Block's Buena Suerte Equine, Mine That Bird shocked the world when he rallied from last in the Kentucky Derby field of 19 to score by 6 3/4 lengths under Calvin Borel for trainer Chip Woolley. His victory was celebrated in the 2014 movie "50 to 1."
ANGST: At Age 16, a New Scene for Derby Winner Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird made 18 starts with a 5-2-2 record, earning $2,228,637. He ran second by a length to the filly Rachel Alexandra in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1), and was third behind Summer Bird and Dunkirk in the Belmont Stakes (G1). He lives in retirement under Allen's supervision.
"Wasn't he so pretty?" Allen said Saturday. "He was dancing and prancing all the way. That horse is amazing. It's hard to get any better."