Nothing much changes for Woolley Brothers

STAFF/WIRE REPORT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Everyone in horse racing knows Chip Woolley has been plenty busy lately. His horse won the Kentucky Derby, ran second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont Stakes.

Back home in New Mexico, the Woolley training barn has stayed right on track. With Chip on the road, his brother Bill Woolley has been minding the store at Sunray Park outside Farmington, N.M.

“There’s been no problems,” Bill Woolley said. “I just have to make a few more decisions than I did when Chip was around all the time.”

Like what?

“Oh, the entry deals, getting horses into the right races, keeping track of all that stuff. Lots of stuff.”

The brothers haven’t seen each other since Chip Woolley loaded Mine That Bird into a trailer at Sunland Park, N.M., and began the 19-hour drive to Louisville, where the gelding won the Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 long shot on May 2.

They speak by telephone regularly, working together to oversee the 25-horse Woolley barn. Chip Woolley said it has been a challenge to follow the New Mexico action from afar but feels he hasn’t missed too much.

“It’s been a little hard to keep up, but trainers do it all over the world every day,” he said. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

During Mine That Bird’s run through the Triple Crown races, Bill Woolley saddled eight horses in New Mexico, including two winners.

“We’ve run pretty decent,” Bill Woolley said. “Won one the day after the Derby.”

Earlier this week it was announced Mine That Bird will compete in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 1.

Chip Woolley, who lives in Bloomfield, N.M., plans to be back in the state soon. He said it’s likely he will saddle a few horses, either during the current meet at Ruidoso Downs or when The Downs at Albuquerque resumes racing Aug. 8.