Mine That Bird expects to race in the Preakness | Denton Record Chronicle | News for Denton County, Texas

Mine That Bird expects to race in the Preakness

01:41 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Associated Press

Mine That Bird was proclaimed ready for the Preakness on Monday after a spirited early morning jog, while his trainer remained groggy from two nights of little sleep after a startling Kentucky Derby win.

"The horse will be the judge, but as good as he looked this morning, we plan on being at the Preakness," Bennie Woolley Jr. said.

Although Woolley has tried to make sure the horse's routine has remained normal since the 50-1 shot's win Saturday under Calvin Borel, it has been a far from normal period for the trainer.

Woolley said the horse will remain at Churchill Downs in Louisville at least until May 12 before shipping to Baltimore. He jogged a mile at Churchill on Monday morning and will have light jogs each of the next two days.

Woolley said there are no plans for the horse to have a full workout before the Preakness.

A Preakness trip wasn't looking quite as likely Sunday. Woolley said then there's "no obligation" to go to the Preakness.

Woolley said he still feels no obligation but acknowledged horse racing can always use a shot at the Triple Crown – something not accomplished since Affirmed in 1978. Should he win the Preakness, Mine That Bird must also take the June 6 Belmont to do that.

Co-owner Leonard Blach, a veterinarian, said he observed nothing in the horse Monday that would keep him out of the second leg in two weeks.

Kentucky Derby gets highest TV ratings in 17 years: The Kentucky Derby's TV ratings are the highest in 17 years.

NBC says Saturday's coverage of 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird's win drew a 10.2 overnight rating and 22 share. That's up 7 percent from last year's 9.5/21.

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