Kentucky Derby champion returns to NM, stabled at Ruidoso Downs

Mine That Bird stabled at Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. — Mine That Bird has returned to New Mexico, arriving Wednesday at Ruidoso Downs ahead of next week’s $2 million All American Futurity.

The Kentucky Derby-winning gelding is a thoroughbred and won’t be running in the signature event of quarter horse racing.

Instead, he will lead the post parade before Monday’s race.

The decision to return Mine That Bird to New Mexico was co-owner Mark Allen’s way to thank the state’s racing community for support. The horse was stabled at Sunland Park after Allen purchased the Canadian 2-year-old champion.

Mine That Bird was flown to El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, then trainer Chip Woolley took him by trailer to Ruidoso Downs on Wednesday.