Louisville, KY (Sportsbooks) - Chip Woolley, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, indicated Saturday that an announcement on a new rider for the three-year-old could come as soon as Sunday morning. Earlier in the week Calvin Borel was relieved of his duties with the gelding.
"Mark (Allen of Double Eagle Ranch) and Doc (Leonard Blach of Buena Suerte Equine) are going to talk it over today and I'll likely name a rider in the morning," Woolley said Saturday morning.
Woolley and the gelding's owners, Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach, could not get a commitment from Borel to ride Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby on Saturday, August 1.
"I thank Calvin for the job he has done for us," Woolley said this week, "but going race to race is not a good option for us and we think we are better off going with someone who will be there when we need him. It is strictly a business decision and Calvin and (agent) Jerry (Hissam) will always be welcome in my shedrow."
Borel has agreed to ride Warrior's Reward in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on the same day as the West Virginia Derby. The Louisiana native has been the regular jockey for Warrior's Reward.
Following the Kentucky Derby victory Borel switched to the filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes. Borel won the Preakness with the filly and then regained the mount on Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes. Borel and the gelding finished third in the final jewel of racing's Triple Crown. Veteran rider Mike Smith picked up the mount on Mine That Bird for the Preakness and finished second, a length behind the Rachel Alexandra.
After the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park, Mine That Bird's schedule of races will be the Travers at Saratoga on Saturday, August 29 and the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, November 7 with the possibility of a race between the Travers and Breeders' Cup.
Woolley is seeking a three-race commitment covering the West Virginia Derby, Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic.
