Page 6 - June 2009 The Game

6 The Game, June 2009 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper Dave Cotey, Mine That Bird. . . . . and shades of Northern Dancer and Silky Sullivan by: Bill Galvin
Mississauga horseman Dave Cotey has 37 two-year- olds in training at Toronto’s Woodbine, and he’ll be
a very happy camper if just one of them can equal the racing prowess of Mine That Bird.
nick-named “Mr. Heart Attack” with a similar running style, who won the 1958 Santa Anita Derby with Willie Shoemaker aboard, after trailing the eld by 30 lengths.
Mine That Bird on
Post Parade before winning the Kentucky Derby.
Mine That Bird, a $9,500 yearling purchase
who Cotey bought and developed into a Canadian Champion at two, is one of the sport’s most exciting Thoroughbreds. His electrifying come-from-behind running style was exhibited in one of the most stunning upsets in Derby history in this year’s Kentucky Derby. And, his near miss under a perfect ride in the Preakness, was reminiscent of the feats of Silky Sullivan, a horse
Following Mine That Bird’s impressive two-year-
old campaign and Sovereign Award as Canada’s top two-year-old male horse, U.S. interests came calling and Dave Cotey and his Dominion Bloodstock Stable partners Hugh Galbraith and Derek Ball, parted with their stable ace for $400,000. U.S. The gelding’s current earnings are just over the $2 million mark.
The rest is racing history.
But, hereby lies a comparison to another famous
equine; Northern Dancer. Both have Canadian
roots.
Northern Dancer was
bred by the late E.P. Taylor, former Chairman of the Ontario Jockey Club, and a builder of Canadian horse racing. Mine That Bird was co-bred by Toronto Thoroughbred owner and breeder Peter Lamantia .
Strike That Spare, one of
trainer Dave Cotey’s 37 two-year- olds in training
Lopresti raced a consistent stable of campaigners in
the silks of the Four L’s Stable from the 1930’s to
the early 1970’s. One of their long time trainers was Thoroughbred racing legend Willie Russell, also known as the Mayor of Dufferin Park.
Like Northern Dancer, Mine That Bird was developed, trained and began his racing career at Woodbine.
Mine That Bird was a 2008 Sovereign Award winner as the best two-year-old male horse in Canada. Northern Dancer was named 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year, long before Sovereign Awards existed.
Like Northern Dancer, Mine That Bird is a small horse.
Northern Dancer had no takers for a $25,000 price tag as a yearling. Some horsemen thought he was too small. Dave Cotey spotted Mine That Bird and had the winning bargain bid when the auctioneer knocked the colt down for a $9,500 price tag.
However, both horses have different styles of racing. Northern Dancer raced in front, or close to the pace. Mine That Bird likes to come from out of it with a tremendous closing burst.
Northern Dancer was one of the most in uential sires in Thoroughbred history. Mine That Bird, who has Northern Dancer blood on both sides of his pedigree, is a gelding. Enough said!
Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby, as did Mine That Bird. Northern Dancer won the Preakness. Mine That Bird was just beaten for second in the same event.
Northern Dancer nished third in the Belmont. Mine That Bird. Well, let’s wait and see what unfolds at Belmont Park on June 6!
What will Dave Cotey’s thoughts be should Mine That Bird win the Belmont Stakes on June 6 and push his career earnings well over the $3 million dollar mark? That will be a question asked of him by many
of those attending the 35th annual Mississauga Sports Dinner on June 6 where Dave will be an honoured head table guest.
Bill Galvin is a Canadian horse racing historian, author, publisher, publicist and former racing of cial
Peter’s father, Vince, along with brothers Peter and Dominic and Tony
2009
Chaplaincy Golf Tournament
Monday, July 13th, Noon
Glen Eagle Golf Course
Golf
Dinner
Auction
Special Guest:
2007 Grey Cup Champion Argonaut Quarterback
Kerry Joseph
Golf, Dinner & Auction: $150
Dinner and Auction: $75
(registration deadline: July 6th)
All Proceeds Go To Race Track Chaplaincy of
Canada (Ontario)
Call 905.713.4783 for tickets and info
A portion of ticket price is tax deductable
The Game JUNE 2009.indd
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5/26/09 12:34:58 AM
Photo Cindy Pierson Dulay