Gainesway stallion Birdstone didn’t have to wait long for his progeny to carry on the sireline’s tradition of winning American Classics, as Mine That Bird – from Birdstone’s first crop to race – put in a strong rail rally from last to draw away forcefully in the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2nd, winning all alone at the wire by 6 ¾ lengths.

A Canadian champion juvenile a year ago, Mine That Bird is now the winner of the world’s most coveted race, conquering the 1 ¼-mile classic in 2:02.66 with help from a crafty, rail-skimming ride from Calvin Borel, who patiently waited in dead last for most of the race under Mine That Bird before splashing well clear in the stretch over the sealed track that was listed as sloppy.

The 6 ¾-length margin of victory was the largest in 63 years since Assault won the Derby by 8 lengths in 1946.

Trained by Bennie Woolley Jr., Mine That Bird won for the fifth time from nine starts and moved his earnings to $1,791,581 for owner Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine.

"I can't say enough. This is a feeling like I've never had before," Woolley said.

The valiant 3-year-old gelding was one of two first-crop participants in the Derby by Birdstone, whose Summer Bird also rallied well to be sixth. A day before, Birdstone’s first-crop filly Stone Legacy finished second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Birdstone himself was a classic winner, defeating Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont S. (G1), and his sire, Grindstone, won the 1996 Kentucky Derby.