Mine That Bird — The 50-1 Longshot Who Splashed Into History

Derby Day: Mud, Rain, and Mayhem

On May 2, 2009, Louisville was drenched. Heavy rains turned the legendary Churchill Downs track into a sloppy mess. The infield crowd didn’t care — ponchos, mud boots, and mint juleps in hand, they were ready for the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” But few had eyes on a tiny gelding shipped in from New Mexico. His name? Mine That Bird. His odds? 50-1.

Most thought he’d need flippers, not hooves, to finish the Derby.

The Race That Shocked the World

When the gates opened, Mine That Bird nearly lived down to the expectations — he stumbled badly at the start, trailing the pack by several lengths. On a muddy track, that should’ve been the kiss of death.

But jockey Calvin “Bo-Rail” Borel had other plans. Known for hugging the inside rail like a magnet, he threaded Mine That Bird through the muck, weaving past horse after horse. Then, as they hit the far turn, the little gelding turned into a rocket.

By the time they hit the stretch, he was flying past the favorites, splashing through the mud as if it were pavement. The crowd gasped. The announcer’s voice cracked with disbelief: “…Mine That Bird has won the Kentucky Derby!”

And not by a nose — by 6¾ lengths, the largest Kentucky Derby margin in over 60 years.

The Payoff of a Lifetime

For his connections, the win brought a $1.417 million purse. Not bad for a horse bought for just $9,500 a couple years earlier.

For the bettors? Oh, it was glorious chaos:

• A $2 win ticket paid an eye-popping $103.20.
• The exacta with Pioneerof the Nile returned over $1,000.
• The trifecta? Nearly $21,000.
• And if you had the guts (or the luck) to hit the superfecta? A cool $278,000 on a $1 bet.

Some fans went home soggy from the rain, but a few went home very rich.

Why We’ll Never Forget It

Mine That Bird’s Derby wasn’t just a win — it was a cinematic upset. The sloppy track, the slow start, the rail-skimming ride, and the thunderous finish created one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Kentucky Derby history.

He didn’t win another race that year, though he finished 2nd in the Preakness and 3rd in the Belmont. But it didn’t matter. For two muddy minutes in Louisville, Mine That Bird turned a rainy day into a miracle.

Mine That Bird’s 2009 Derby reminds us why we love the sport: sometimes, the little guy from nowhere splashes past the bluebloods and steals the crown.

Original article published May 19, 2009 on AlexBrownRacing.com