Another Bad Ride Costs The Bird

In Saturday's West Virginia Derby, Mine That Bird was looking to regain some of his star status but a self-admitted bad ride by Mike Smith cost the Kentucky Derby winner that chance.

For the second time this year, I begin to wonder if Calvin Borel's absence on Mine That Bird cost the gelding a victory.

In the Preakness, Smith was unable to keep Mine That Bird out of trouble and then was forced to go seven wide on the final turn. He lost to Rachel Alexandra by just a length.

Fast forward to Saturday and Smith watched Big Drama jump out to a huge early lead and the Hall of Fame jockey grew impatient and began to ask the Derby winner for run on the backstretch to close the gap between himself and Big Drama. The move backfired as Mine That Bird was out of gas in the stretch and could not pass Big Drama and eventual winner Soul Warrior.

"It was just total rider error," Smith said. "I don't like the way I rode him at all....He needs that one short run and I used too much of him on the backstretch."

Kudos for Smith to owning up to his mistake. It's a breath of fresh air.

But now what next for "Team Bird?" Do they stick with Smith, who they have a two-race commitment from? Or do they search for another rider? (Garrett Gomez is available with the injury to Pioneerof the Nile.)

Apparently, Mine That Bird has to be ridden in a very specific way. Keep him along the inside with another horse to his outside in the back half of the field. Then, when the time is right, cut him loose for his one big run. Borel executed the plan perfectly in the Derby but no one has since.

The Travers is the next race on Bird's docket but it appears that only a near perfect ride will lead him back to the winner's circle.