Mine That Bird finishes 6th in Goodwood Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. — Mine That Bird missed the winner’s circle again Saturday, finishing sixth behind upset winner Gitano Hernando in the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita.

The Kentucky Derby champion is winless in four starts since his stunning 50-1 upset on the first Saturday in May.

Britain-bred Gitano Hernando won the 1 1-8-mile race, earning an automatic berth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Kieren Fallon, Gitano Hernando covered the distance in 1:48.39 and paid $38, $14.40 and $9.40. The winner arrived from Europe with a 2-for-2 record on synthetic surfaces.

Colonel John, the 2008 Santa Anita Derby winner, was second and Richard’s Kid, the Pacific Classic winner, was third in the field of 10.

Mine That Bird again failed to fire on Santa Anita’s synthetic Pro-Ride surface in his second start on it. The 3-year-old gelding was last among 12 horses in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile nearly a year ago, giving no hint of what was to come at Churchill Downs in May.

The Derby is Mine That Bird’s only win in seven starts this year. He had regular rider Calvin Borel back in the saddle Saturday. A good showing was expected to move Mine That Bird on to the BC Classic.