Make it "Yours" That Bird, and dream your dreams!

The Kentucky Derby this year was an incredible, fairy tale event. Most everyone now probably knows that the jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown was won by a New Mexico non-entity, a 50-to-1 longshot called Mine That Bird, an unknown, and a gelding, of all things, who'd originally cost his owners a paltry (by racing standards) $9500! With no other wins under his belt, this upstart horse was a laughing-stock at the begining of the race.

And the story gets better:

Chip Woolley, the winner's trainer, is a former bareback bronc rodeo cowboy, was on crutches from a motorcycle accident when he decided to "dream big" and personally haul his contender from New Mexico out to "Run for the Roses" instead of the originally planned Lone Star Derby.

Jockey Calvin Borel dropped out of school in 9th grade to take his first "equestrian" job--- cleaning horse stalls. But this unlikely Cajun in a cowboy hat reached his dream, too!

Owners Mark Allen and Leonard Blach are not your typical "Kentucky Bluegrass" thoroughbred owners, either. They hail from Roswell, New Mexico (generally know, if at all, for its reputation as the crash site of little green men back in the 50s!).

This is the best horse racing "Little Engine that Could" story since SeaBiscuit raised the hearts and morale of the entire country during the great depression.

Maybe Mine That Bird's victory is meant to encourage all of us now, in our own tough economic tiimes to keep the faith, keep reaching for your dreams, and not let anyone tell us our dreams are impossible!

Click for more information about New Mexico horse breeders and the New Mexico horse industry in general.