BirdBird Fits in the Florida Derby

Trainer Ken McPeek explained the reasoning behind his decision to run Raymond Cottrell's Birdbirdistheword in the Florida Derby rather than Lawrence Carroll’s Bold Start as originally planned: “I just think the way the race sets up, ‘Birdbird’ will be a better fit,” said McPeek Wednesday morning. “It looks like there is plenty of speed in there and ‘Birdbird’ will be closing. They are both doing equally well. We’ll just switch Bold Start off to the Illinois Derby (gr. II) a week later (Apr. 7 at Hawthorne Park)."

1. Notional Robbie Albarado, 4-1
2. Imawildandcrazyguy Rafael Bejarano, 15-1
3. Scat Daddy Edgar Prado, 5-2
4. Adore the Gold Cornelio Velasquez, 6-1
5. Stormello Victor Espinoza, 3-1
6. Chelokee Ramon Dominguez, 8-1
7. Boogie Boggs Joe Bravo, 8-1
8. Johannesburg Star Rajiv Maragh, 30-1
9. Birdbirdistheword Manoel Cruz, 12-1

Kenny Smells a Speed Duel . . .

Tactics are everything and regular readers of Birdbirdblog know that Kenny McPeek has been considering all the options for Birdbird's next start. As of only a few days ago Birdbird's connections were leaning toward the Illinois Derby but at the last moment Kenny has decided that the Florida Derby sets up well for the colt. Birdbird does his best running when there is an honest pace up front. The presence of both Stormello and Adore the Gold in Saturday's Florida Derby should guarantee that honest pace. The field will also include Scat Daddy and Michael Matz' promising newcomer Chelokee among others and with Robby Albarado commited to ride Notional, Manny Cruz, who currently ranks eighth in the jockey standing at Gulfstream, gets the mount on Birdbird.

Mr. Popularity And The Derby Shuffle

Robby Albarado has ridden some pretty good horses in his career, among them Mineshaft, Banshee Breeze and Chulukki, and Albarado’s services are always in demand. 2007 is no different, Albarado is off to another strong start this year, he currently ranks fourth in the nation in money won. Albarado also finds himself in the enviable position of having to juggle mounts on three possible Derby starters. With Cory Nakatani in Dubai to ride Lava Man in the Dubai Duty Free on March 31; Albarado gets the mount on Notional in the Florida Derby. It appears that Albarado has committed to ride Curlin in his next start, the Arkansas Derby on Aprii 14.

Albarado’s popularity presents some unforeseen logistical challenges for Ken McPeek and the connections of Birdbirdistheword. The colt was being pointed for the Blue Grass which will also be run on April 14 but if they do they run in the Blue Grass they will have have to find another rider or wait for Albarado to free up and aim for another prep race. Add to the mix that the Blue Grass is coming up as a super tough race with Street Sense, Great Hunter, Any Given Saturday and possibly Circular Quay all aiming for it. One has to think about what benefit would be gained by going up against the top colts on April 14 and then going up against them again (and a field of 20) in the Derby three weeks later. So right now Team Bird is mulling over the advantages of waiting for Albarado to free up and aiming Birdbird for the Illinois Derby on April 7 at Hawthorne, where he would meet among others Cobalt Blue recent winner of the San Felipe.

Birdbird will have his last breeze at Palm Meadows this morning and will ship to Kentucky to train for a probable start in the Illinois Derby in the next day or two.

On Second Thought . . .

Birdbird returned to the track this morning for the first time since his fifth place finish in the Louisiana Derby, galloping a mile and a half at the Palm Meadows training facility which has been his winter home since December. One thing Team Bird learned from the Louisiana Derby was that training and running over the track was a distinct advantage at Fair Grounds as the first four finishers all had a race over the track. Taking that into account, owner Ray Cottrell, Sr. and trainer Ken McPeek have reconsidered the Florida Derby as Birdbird's next start. They have decided to revert back to Plan A, which was to ship the colt to Keeneland for the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) on April 14th. Birdbird last ran at Keeneland in the Lane's End Futurity last October where he was a credible fourth to the likes of Great Hunter and Street Sense (he was scoped after the race and was disagnosed with a lung infection). Birdbird will work five furlongs later in the week and then ship to Keeneland to train for his date in the Blue Grass.

Birdbird's Next Start: The Florida Derby

Birdbird is feeling fine after his fifth place finish in the Louisiana Derby and he's back at Palm Meadows where trainer Kenny McPeek plans to crank him up for his next start in the Florida Derby on March 31st. Kenny has decided not to wait five weeks until the Blue Grass to run again and Birdbird will take on all comers in three weeks at Gulfstream. Stay tuned for all the details.

Birdbird closed at 43-1 in the second futures pool for the Kentucky Derby.

Team Bird would like to thank all the people who posted comments on the blog; they really appreciate all your support!!

Pink People

Belinda Sims (Ken McPeek's stable manager) nicknamed us "Pink People" I guess these photographs prove her to be correct.



Tommy and DeeDee Kessinger, Brenda Cottrell Tyree (holding our mascot), Lovell Cottrell, Karen Cottrell and Ray Cottrell Jr.




Lucy and Randy Edwards, the breeders of Birdbird.



My main man, Larry Green who assists Ray Cottrell Sr. with his racing operations and a hell of a nice guy!



And me, John Maguire (AKA the website guy) with our mascot

The Bernie Flint Interview

Honest to God I just asked Bernie Flint who he liked in the Louisiana Derby. Bernie was hoping Kenny would win so he could use the money for a much needed operation.

Riders Up For The Louisiana Derby

McPeek and Albarado

Team Bird Shows Up In Force

Six or Seven Lengths Is All We Need ~ Ken McPeek

After the race Team Birdbird gathered at a monitor near the paddock to watch the replay, Kenny like the rest of us was disappointed, we had all been hoping for a win or a top three finish, Birdbird was fifth beaten just over seven lengths. Robby Albarado reported that Birdbird was struggling with the surface throughout the race, for a horse coming off a 97 day layoff, I think we can say he needed the race. In defeat Birdbird joins some illustrious company, don't forget that both Funny Cide(who lost to Peace Rules) and War Emblem did not like the Fair Grounds surface either.

Can Birdbird improve off this effort; can he move up six or seven lengths, I think he can. Keep the faith Birdbird fans!

Victory Belongs to the Most Persevering

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disppointed. I'll have lots more photos and video from the Louisiana Derby up on the site after I get home to my broadband connection; blogging with a dial up connection is not easy.

Birdbird Gallops At Fairgrounds

This is video taken the day before the Louisiana Derby.











Take a good look Todd Pletcher! This is what Circular Quay will be looking at this afternoon!

All kidding aside, Team Bird is confident Birdbird will make a good account of himself this afternoon and the rest of the racing world will see what the people who read this blog already know. This is a special horse!

Birdbird And The Comedian

Sunrise at the Fairgrounds, March 9,2007.



The star of the show, Birdbirdistheword ready to go out on the track. Birdbird galloped over the Fairgrounds track this morning at @830 AM after the renovation break. He went about a mile and a half, I think (I forgot to ask). I have some video of the gallop that I will post as soon as I can.


Birdbird and his groom Roberto

Bird is stabled with Bernie Flint's horses. He shipped up just fine from Palm Meadows and looks great. I met Bernie Flint this morning and let me tell you he is one funny guy. I have some video of him talking about who will win the Derby tomorrow and it is great stuff (that I will post as soon as I can).


Bernie Flint, Larry Green(of Team Bird) and Ken McPeek

Bobby Barnett is also stabled in this barn. This is a cat in Bobby Barnett's barn who was wondering what I am doing in his office.



Jenna McPeek takes a spin around the barn on Bernie Flint's peppermint-loving stable pony, Buck



Belinda Sims, Ken McPeek's stable manager. Belinda helped nurse Congaree back to health when he was a very sick foal, you could say Belinda has a way with horses.

Birdbird Notes #3

I am off to see Birdbird this morning. He is scheduled to gallop @8:00AM. I hope to get some photos from this morning's visit up on the site later today. There are two major stories on Birdbird today in the Bloodhorse and the Form. Looks like the press is really starting to notice BIrdbird, he is getting his fair share of ink these days. In one story, Kenny describes Birdbird as a Maserati: so I guess I am off to see the Maserati!

If you haven't voted in the Louisiana Derby poll on the side bar, please do. The Birdbird fans are out in force as Birdbird has a substantial lead in the poll.

Room For One More. . . At Least !

The Courier Journal has a story on Birdbird's owner, Ray Cottrell Sr.

Hopes are high here at Birdbirdblog that Ray will be collecting another trophy in New Orleans this Saturday afternoon.

Hurry Up Roberto, I Got A Plane To Catch!

Birdbird and Roberto will be up extra early today so they can catch a 7AM flight bound for New Orleans where Birdbird returns to competition in the Louisiana Derby. Birdbird had his final breeze yesterday at Palm Meadows, going four furlongs in .48 and galloping out five furlongs in 1:00. Afterwards he was scoped and everything came back clean; all systems are GO for the Derby Trail.

Trainer Ken McPeek will be participating in an NTRA conference call today. Birdbird has been added as a separate betting interest at 18-1 in Pool 2 of the Derby Futures Pool. Bodog.com has Birdbird at 50-1 on their site. Birdbird got some ink in a Bloodhorse article too.

Meanwhile, Birdbirdistheword, trained by Kenneth McPeek, will go up against the recently impressive colt Imawildandcrazyguy in the March 10 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds.

According to McPeek, his contender "has been a piece of cake--he's a very special horse. The most difficult thing has been the people calling to buy him." McPeek said he has received several offers for the strapping dark bay son of Pure Prize in recent weeks.

"He's easy to handle, a total pro," continued McPeek, who saddled Birdbirdistheword for three victories last year, including the $1 million Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot (gr. III) at Delta Downs. The Louisiana Derby will mark the colt's 2007 debut.

"Since (the Delta Jackpot), he's done everything perfectly and on schedule," said McPeek.

With the pressure off his back of getting enough graded stakes earnings for Birdbirdistheword's ticket to the Run for the Roses, the trainer said, "I can take my time and develop the horse. We were able to back off and gave him 30 days off (after the Delta Jackpot). Now we've got a nice little work pattern set up."

McPeek said he was even impressed with Birdbirdistheword's fourth-place effort in the Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland last fall, considering the colt had been scoped for a lung infection after the race.

Birdbird Wins the Harrah's Juvenile

I finally found a video of Birdbird's win in the Harrah's Juvenile on the turf at Louisiana Downs. Birdbird swallows the competition with a sweeping move at the 1/2 mile pole, the same move he made weeks later in the Delta Jackpot. This horse has what the Europeans call " a turn of foot" and versatility on both dirt and turf that minds me of Barbaro.

Thanks to Travis Stone of the Daily Dispatch for posting this video.

Birdbird at 6-1 in the Louisiana Derby Morning Line

A field of eight were entered today in the 94th Louisiana Derby.
It's funny that Birdbird a two-time stakes winner with over $700,000 in earnings gets mentioned in this press release after non-stakes winners like Liquidity and Iamawildandcrazyguy. Birdbird deserves a little more respect than that!

Louisiana Derby (gr. II), $600,000, Fair Grounds, March 10, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, approx. post 5:43 p.m. ET

PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey

1. Circular Quay, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 122, 9-5
2. Ketchikan, Al Stall Jr., Larry Melancon, 122, 8-1
3. Slew’s Tizzy, Gregory Fox, Julien Leparoux, 122, 15-1
4. Birdbirdistheword, Kenneth McPeek, Robby Albarado, 122, 6-1
5. Liquidity, Doug O’Neill, Corey Nakatani, 122, 7-2
6. Zanjero, Steve Asmussen, Garrett Gomez, 122, 4-1
7. Soaring By, Todd Pletcher, Edgar Prado, 122, 8-1
8. Imawildandcrazyguy, William Kaplan, Fernando Jara, 122, 10-1

Birdbird The Movie

My friend and fellow blogger David Rubin over at Your Average Horseplayer accompanied me last month when I visited Birdbird at Palm Meadows. David just posted his video on Youtube and it has lots of Birdbird footage plus a conversation with Kenny McPeek and lots of other details of a morning at Palm Meadows.

My thanks to Peter of Kentuckydvds.com for this shot of Birdbird in the walking ring at Keeneland just before the Breeders Futurity.