Mine That Bird works with eye toward Travers

Horseracing Betting Lines

08/25/2009 - Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One week after undergoing successful throat surgery, Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird worked six-furlongs Tuesday morning at Saratoga Race Course. A final decision on his entry into the $1 million Travers Stakes is expected on Wednesday.

"Doc (Dr. James Hunt) is happy with the way he looked today," said trainer Chip Woolley. "He'll look at it again in the morning, and we'll make a final decision in the morning. If we irritated his throat today, and it looks bad, we won't run him. If he's not irritated in the morning, you have to feel like he's doing OK. It's just that simple. We're not going to take chances with him. If we see something in there we don't like, we're not going to run."

The three-year-old gelding had throat surgery last Tuesday for an entrapped epiglottis. Dr. Patricia Hogan performed the surgery at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center located across the street from Belmont Park.

Jockey Jamie Theriot was aboard for Tuesday's work. He was timed for a half- mile in 49.76, five-furlongs in 1:01 4/5, and finished six-furlongs in 1:14.80.

"His work was pretty nice, we couldn't ask for much more right now," said Woolley. "He looked really strong and the numbers show he's striding right on out past the wire. That part of it I have no problem with, we just don't want to do anything with him that might be detrimental down the road, long-term. He's got to come first.

"He's galloped strong, but this is the first time we put the hammer down on him and let him stress. We have to make sure he's 100-percent. He's too important to us and too important to the racing community right now."

Owned by Dr. Leonard Bloch and Mark Allen, who were both looking on Tuesday morning, Mine That Bird was a 50-1 longshot when he won the Kentucky Derby. Two weeks later he was second in the Preakness Stakes to the filly Rachel Alexandra and was third to Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes.

Mine That Bird, 2008 Canadian champion two-year-old, has earned $1,892,200 with one win in six starts in 2009.

Rachel Alexandra will not start in the Travers, instead she will take on older handicap horses the following week at Saratoga in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes. The Woodward is 1 1/8 miles while the Travers is run at 1 1/4 miles.

Summer Bird is expected to be in the Travers along with Florida Derby winner Quality Road and Jim Dandy champ Kensei. The field for the Mid-Summer Derby will be drawn on Wednesday.

Should Mine That Bird not go in the Travers, Woolley said the gelding will not start in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Labor Day. Mine That Bird is scheduled to lead the post parade for the $2 million All America Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico on Labor Day.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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