Birdbird and Castellano A Threat In The OBS Sunshine Millions Turf

Birdbird, drew post position five for Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park. The field includes Icy Atlantic who placed in this race last year and Bill Mott has entered a pair of minor stakes winners, War Monger and Pickapocket.

Birdbird is coming off a close sixth place finish in the seven and a half furlong Pete Axthelm at Calder on December 29. The Pure Prize colt breezed four furlongs on Monday at Gulfstream in 48.40 with Castellano up and all concerned feel that Birdird will be a threat at the mile and an eighth distance of the Millions.

Kenny McPeek told the Blood Horse:

“He’s doing very well and had some significant time off with this race in mind,” trainer Ken McPeek said of Birdbirdistheword’s break, which lasted from May until a sixth-place run in Pete Axthelm Stakes at Calder Dec. 29. “This is a restricted race with a lot of money on the table and he’s doing well enough to try, but he still has something to prove as an older horse. If he gets it done Saturday, we’ll go from there, but if not we’ll take a step back and take a more conservative route.”

Javier Castellano will ride and break from post five.

Birdbird is a graduate of the August 2005 OBS sale where Ray Cottrell Sr acquired the son of Pure Prize out of Berchta for $32,000. Birdbird has gone on to earn $716,987.

Update: Birdbird's little half-sister Lady Lido (Lido Palace) brought a bid of $14,000 at this month's OBS sale.

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.

Team Bird Takes Aim at the Delta Downs Stakes Program

Ray Cottrell Sr., Kenny McPeek and Larry Green have set their sights on taking down some of the major stakes at Delta Downs this fall.

Stable star and comeback kid, Birdbirdistheword has been nominated for the Sam's Town on the Delta Jackpot under card on December 7. A good effort in the Sam's Town would set Birdbird up nicely for his four-year old campaign in the handicap division, that campaign would most likely commence at Gulfstream Park.

Meanwhile two of Team Bird's promising two-year olds, Sgt. Major Command and First Lady Glenna (named for Kentucky's First Lady) are being targeted for two-year old stakes at Delta Downs.

Sgt. Major Command's next start will be on November 9 in the one mile Jean Lafitte which is the local prep for the $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot. Birdbird won the Delta Jackpot (G3) last year. A win or second place finish in the Jackpot leaves you in good shape in graded earnings needed to get into the gate at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

Nominees for the Jean Lafitte include recent Churchill Downs allowance winner Betatron, local hero Big Al's Mandraar who has won two of his four starts by more than 10 lengths, Birdonawire winner Carson's Legacy, undefeated Texas-bred Ferdinard's Flyer, Mikimoto's Mojo who won the Lafayette Stakes at Evangeline and Kentucky Cup Juvenile winner Texas Fever.


First Lady Glenna who was a solid second in her first start at Keeneland on October 17 is nominated to the My Trusty Cat along with solid contenders like Syriana's Song who broke her maiden at Saratoga and then finished sixth in the Matron (G2) at Belmont Park, local heroine Miss Missle a winner of four of her eight starts and Arlington Washington Lassie (G3) victor Dreaming of Liz, stablemate of champion Dreaming of Anna.





betatron

Birdbird To Breeze

Update: Birdbird breezed three furlongs in a snappy 37 1/5 Saturday at Keeneland as he prepares to resume his racing career later in the year.

Tentative plans call for Birdbird to return to the races at Delta Downs on December 7 in the $75,000 Sam's Town at seven furlongs. The Sam's Town is being run the same night as the Delta Jackpot which Birdbird won last year.

Birdbird's stablemate, Sgt. Major Command won the first at Keeneland yesterday, a maiden $50,000 claimer drawing off by five lengths and in doing so validated the confidence his connections have in him. The colt ran greenly in his first start at Kentucky Downs and while his next race is undecided, Team Bird is eyeing the Delta Jackpot for Sgt. Major Command.

Birdbirdistheword Returns to Training

Sidelined since May with a suspensory injury, Ray Cottrell Sr's Delta Jackpot winner Birdbirdisword has returned to training at Ken McPeek's Magdelena Farm in Lexington Kentucky. Tentative plans call for Birdbird to return to the races in early December at Delta Downs, the scene of his most lucrative and commanding performance when he won the $1,000,000 2006 Delta Jackpot Stakes.



As you may know I had a great time following Birdbird on the Kentucky Derby trail last spring and was a guest of Team Bird at the Fairgrounds for the Louisiana Derby. Derby fever never really subsides if you love this game and Team Bird has another promising two-year old colt named Command SGT Major who is training up to his first race under the tutelage of Ken McPeek who thinks the colt shows some real promise.

Doctor's Orders

Dr. Bramlett has determined that Birdbird has injured his left rear suspensory in one of his recent races. This kind of injury can be very difficult to diagnose and probably played a role in Birdbird's poor showings in both the Florida Derby and Crown Royal American Turf. You can learn more about suspensory injuries here including an article by the the TBA's own Fran Jurga over at Hoof Care who has written on this topic here. Birdbird will get 60 days off at that time Dr. Bramlett will reexamine him. Under normal conditions Birdbird could return to training in about 90 days but Team Bird have decided to give him at least 120 days off and return to training in the fall and plan for an exciting four-year old campaign for Birdbird.

The colt will convalesce at Kenny McPeek's Magdelena Farm in Lexington and Team Bird wants to thank everybody for all their support and we'll see Birdbird back at the races when he is fully recovered.

Birdbird Out with Undetermined Injury

Apparently Birdbirdistheword injured himself during the running of the Crown Royal American on Kentucky Oaks day. Birdbird was closing on the outside coming into the stretch when he lost his action and started acting like he could not get his air. He was scoped after the race but it came back clean. On Saturday the colt was in obvious discomfort when walking. A back injury of some sort is suspected and Birdbird has been shipped to the Lexington clinic of Dr. Bramblett for a complete examination.

When more is known about Birdbird’s condition I will let you know.

The Bird Is Back !

Birdbird makes his return to the turf and takes on some of the best three-year turf runners in the country on Friday in the Grade 3 Crown Royal American turf. Birdbird will van to Churchill on Thursday from Keeneland where he’s been training. The field includes Irish import, Whatsthescript who is undefeated stateside and Marcavelly who won his last start at Keeneland, the grassy Transylvania. The Bird will be sporting blinkers for the his return and Team Bird feels Birdbird make a good account of himself on Friday

Birdbird On Track For The Crown Royal American Turf

Birdbird worked five furlongs at Keeneland in :59 2/5 in preparation for his next start in the Crown Royal American Turf on May 4 at Churchill Downs. Irish import, Whatsthescript, a winner of three turf stakes in the last six months is also being pointed for the Crown Royal American Turf.
.

Bye Bye Birdie . . . For Now

The Bloodhorse is reporting that betting on Birdbird in the Derby Future Pools has been suspended. Birdbird s currently seventh on the graded earnings list. As late as this week Birdbird's connections were considering a return to the Derby Trail with a start in the Blue Grass stakes. After much thought they decided against it. Current plans call for Birdbird to return to competition in the Crown Royal American Turf on May 4th.

It's been a great thrill for me to follow Birdbird on the Derby trail and I look forward to seeing him on the turf this coming summer.

Birdbird Bled In The Florida Derby

Birdbird’s connections are reporting that Birdbird bled while finishing seventh in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream on Saturday. The colt usually runs with lasix. Otherwise Birdbird came out of the race in good condition but the timing of this setback makes a start in the Kentucky Derby a more remote possibility at the moment. Birdbird was flown to Keeneland yesterday arriving in Lexington in early afternoon.

If Birdbird does not start in the Kentucky Derby, he may return to the turf for his next start. Birdbird has already won on the turf (winning the Harrahs Juvenile in September at Louisiana Downs). The Crown Royal American Turf on Kentucky Oaks day is now under consideration, the 1-1/16 mile race is a grade three. Should Birdbird make a good account of himself in the Crown Royal, a return to the Triple Crown trail is very much a possibility and a start in the Preakness is a definite possibility.

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.