Sunshine Millions Is Next For Birdbirdistheword

Birdbird closed nicely but belatedly to finish sixth in Pete Axthelm on Saturday, Javier Castellano kept him in the back of the twelve horse field behind a fast but honest pace. Birdbird was beaten only two and a half lengths in his first race in eight months.

Team Bird was pleased with the effort and Birdbird will be seen next in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at a mile and an eighth on January 26 at Gulfstream Park. Nominees for the race include old turf warrior Revved Up who nosed out Soldier's Dancer at Calder last out, Lava Man who won the race last year at Santa Anita, Icy Atlantic and Go Between who finished second and third to Lava Man last year.

All In The Family:

Thanks to Valerie over at Foolish Pleasure for pointing this out.

A half sister to Birdbird will be offered at the OBS January Sale.

Prince Arch: A Tough Act To Follow But Birdbird's Going to Try

Birdbird's owner Ray Cottrell Sr. is no stranger to the top echelon in racing.

A few years ago he owned a colt named, Prince Arch (Arch - Princess Kris, by Kris) who won the 2005 Gulfstream Park Handicap (now the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes G1)and even traveled to Dubai for the Sheema Classic that year, In his three year old year the Prince took the Saranac at Saratoga (pictured above) and took down champion Kitten's Joy in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs. Prince Arch also placed in the Virginia Derby and the Crown Royal American Turf, he is now at stud in Ireland.

Ray and Kenny McPeek have a similar goal in mind for his 2006 Delta Jackpot (G3) winner, Birdbirdistheword when the colt returns to the races this Saturday, eight months after being diagnosed with an injured left rear suspensory ligament which took the colt off the Derby trail in April.


Ray Cottrell Sr and Birdbird

Birdbird (8-3-0-0 $702,000) returns to the races in the grassy Pete Axthelm , named for the famed sportswriter, on the closing weekend at Calder. In his last published work last week, Birdbird worked 5f at Gulfstream in 1:00.00 handily,the best of 26 workouts at the distance.

Team Bird is looking for a top effort in a race that features some of best local three year olds in South Florida like Drums of Thunder who is also on the comeback trail and Craftmanship.

Of course I doubt if Drums of Thunder has his own ring tone.



So watch out, Birdbird is back and his main goal is the Gulfstream Turf Handicap (G1) on February 23rd.

SnowBirdBird

Plans for Birdbird's comeback race have changed just a bit. It was hoped he would be ready to make his comeback at Delta Downs in the Sam's Town but the colt will need more time before he's ready. Team Bird is now targeting the the Pete Axthelm Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Calder on December 29 for Birdbird's return.