Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird upset by Soul Warrior in West Virginia Derby

Soul Warrior upsets Mine That Bird in WVa Derby

CHESTER, W.Va. — Soul Warrior has pulled a huge upset over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in winning the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.

Dismissed at odds of 23-1, Soul Warrior pulled ahead of Big Drama in the final strides and won in a photo finish Saturday.

Mine That Bird made a bid for victory in the stretch with his patented finishing kick but wound up third in his first race since a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Soul Warrior is trained by Steve Asmussen, who will send out Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra in Sunday’s Haskell Invitational.

Mine That Bird was ridden by Mike Smith, who was aboard the gelding when he finished second in the Preakness.