Mine That Bird, the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner,
worked six furlongs in 1:12.40, handily, over the Oklahoma Training Track
Thursday morning with Calvin Borel aboard in preparation for the Grade 1
Whitney Invitational at Saratoga Race Course on August 7.
“I was real pleased – I thought it was his best work yet,”
said Lukas of the move, which was the lone workout at the distance over the
course. “We won’t work him between now and the Whitney.”
Lukas was also happy with the 4-year-old gelding’s recent
physical development.
“He’s put on a lot of weight and muscle,” said Lukas.
“Calvin remarked about how much he has changed.”
With the Whitney expected to draw Quality Road,
Blame, and Haynesfield, Lukas knows Mine That Bird has a
formidable task ahead.
“We’re definitely going into the deep end,” said Lukas. “You
can’t go into a race like this soft.”