Mine That Bird puts in work for Lukas

Horseracing Betting Lines

06/02/2010 - Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas had 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird workout Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. The four-year-old gelding worked a half-mile in 48 seconds with his regular jockey Calvin Borel riding.

"He has really blossomed since last fall and has gotten bigger. The time off did him good," Borel said. "He was real good this morning. He went nice and easy and galloped out good."

Lukas took over the training of Mine That Bird last month from Chip Woolley who engineered the 2009 season for owners Dr, Leonard Blach and Mark Allen.

"He went real nice," Lukas said. "It is a delight to see one breeze like that and enjoy what he is doing. He gets over the ground beautifully. Calvin was excited. The first thing he said to me was 'That was something.'"

Mine That Bird galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. Borel had not been aboard the gelding since they finished ninth behind Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic last year at Santa Anita Park.

While this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs is on the calendar, Lukas has not finalized the gelding's first start of 2010.

"When we start, we want him to be dead right," Lukas indicated. "Our long- range plan is the Whitney (Handicap at 1 1/8-miles on August 7 at Saratoga). He took a big step forward today."

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Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.