Notes: Smith back on Mine That Bird

Wire, Special Reports

Trainer Chip Woolley announced Saturday afternoon that Mike Smith would ride Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1 and the $1 million Shadwell Travers on Aug. 29.

Smith rode Mine That Bird in the Preakness Stakes when Calvin Borel honored a commitment to ride Rachel Alexandra. Woolley did not get a commitment from Smith for the Breeders' Cup Classic to be run Nov. 7 at Santa Anita.

"Hopefully we won't be in a switch in the Breeders' Cup," Woolley said.

Smith is the regular rider of undefeated mare Zenyatta, who never has faced males in her 11-for-11 career.

■ Presious Passion scored a repeat victory in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes, smashing the course record at Monmouth Park.

The 6-year-old ran the 13⁄8 miles on the firm turf in 2:10.97, wiping out the mark of 2:12.89 set by English Channel in the 2007 U.N.

Leading by 20 lengths in the early stages, Presious Passion held off Lauro by 2 lengths with Brass Hat third.

■ Kensei, ridden by Edgar Prado, made a powerful move on the far turn en route to an impressive 31/4-length victory in the $200,000 Dwyer at Belmont Park. Warrior's Reward, the 4-5 favorite ridden by Calvin Borel was third behind Convocation.

■ Sea The Stars became the first horse in 20 years to add the Eclipse Stakes title to wins in the English Derby and the 2000 Guineas.

Sea The Stars is only the fifth horse since 1900 to complete the Group One hat trick, after beating Rip Van Winkle by a length at Sandown on Saturday in England. The last horse to accomplish the feat was Nashwan in 1989.

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