Birdbirdistheword - Kentucky Derby Contender

BIRDBIRDISTHEWORD

Pedigree: Pure Prize - Berchta (Rocky Mountain)

Owner: Raymond Cottrell, Sr.

Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

The name: In honor of the helicopter pilots who retrieved soldiers from the battlefield in the Vietnam War. Visit the Bird Blog.

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Birdbirdistheword captures the Delta Jackpot
Birdbirdistheword swept to the lead four wide on the final turn and held off a bid by favorite Pirates Deputy for a three-quarter-length win in Friday night's Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs. It was another three lengths back to Xchanger in third.

The Delta Jackpot is the richest race in Louisiana, and was one of five stakes on a card worth a cumulative $1.5 million.

Birdbirdistheword ($12.80) raced well off the pace set by Go Poppa Fooze, who led through fractions of 22.10 seconds for the opening quarter and 45 seconds for a half-mile, while under pressure from Malt Magic.

Birdbirdistheword began to pick up horses down the backside, advanced on the final turn, and was strong through the stretch, covering the mile and a sixteenth over a track rated fast in 1:45.42.

“He ran a big race,” said Robby Albarado, who rode the winner for trainer Ken McPeek. “I thought he held off that horse pretty well. I don't think he'd let that horse get by him. I'm impressed with him. He's a nice colt.”

McPeek said Birdbirdistheword will ship this week to Florida.

“He'll be in Miami in a couple days,” said McPeek.

Birdbirdistheword earned $600,000 for the win for owner Raymond Cottrell Sr. He has now won 3 of 5 starts and $702,100. The Delta Jackpot was the second stakes win for Birdbirdistheword, who captured the $100,000 Juvenile at Louisiana Downs

The remaining order of finish was Malt Magic in fourth, followed by Freesgood, Officer Rocket, Go Poppa Fooze, Scatter the Tak, Ice Man Cometh and Mystical Light.

Owner Spotlight: Raymond Cottrell, Sr.

Raymond Cottrell, Sr., a native of Virginia, came to Kentucky via the Army.  He joined the army at the age of 15 and took his basic training at Fort Knox.  After serving 24 years in the service, and retiring in 1972, he decided that he liked Kentucky and made Brandenburg his home.  He opened a car dealership, Ray's Ford, and has called Kentucky home ever since.

Mr. Cottrell was introduced to horse racing when a friend took him to the backside of Churchill Downs shortly after he retired from the Army.  He met a trainer who had a horse for sale, and Mr. Cottrell bought him for $6,000.  The horse's name was Mobil Express, and he eventually won an allowance race.

Mr. Cottrell has had as many as 40 horses in training during his racing career, twice making it to the Kentucky Derby.  In 1990 with Fighting Fantasy, and again in 1991 with Wilder Than Ever.  Fighting Fantasy is at stud in Nebraska.   Mr. Cottrell loves his horses, and when they are done racing they always have a home with him at his farm in Kentucky.  He currently has 10 of his retired horses with him, and he is a true horse lover. 

Birdbirdistheword was named in honor of the helicopter pilots who risked their lives flying soldiers off the battlefields in Vietnam.  Mr. Cotrrell said "There would have been 200,000 more killed or wounded in that war if it wasn't for the guys flying the helicopters."

"Birdbird", as he is called by his team in the stables, is a sweet horse who likes attention.  He is has grown since his win in the Delta Jackpot and is currently in training with Kenny McPeek in Palm Meadows.  He will start breezing again in February and the current plan is to make his first star of the year in the Louisiana Derby.  If all goes well he will run in the Bluegrass Stakes before making his Derby bid. 

We hope that the third time is a charm for Mr. Cottrell, and as the soldiers in Vietnam would say, "Birdbirdistheword".