Mike Smith back on Mine That Bird for West Virginia Derby, Travers Stakes

Mike Smith to pilot Mine That Bird

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mike Smith is back on Mine That Bird.

The Hall of Fame rider will pilot the Kentucky Derby winner in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby and the $1 million Travers Stakes next month.

Smith takes over for Calvin Borel, who guided the 3-year-old gelding to a longshot win in the Kentucky Derby and later added a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes.

Smith guided Mine That Bird to second-place in the Preakness after Borel opted to ride filly Rachel Alexandra, which edged Mine That Bird for the win.

Trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. decided to dump Borel after Borel said he couldn’t make a firm committment to ride Mine That Bird the rest of the year.