Mine that Bird lost out on his chance for the Triple Crown, but absolutely silenced the "neigh" sayers-- who continued to whine that there was no indication that he would finish anywhere close to the board.

Even-tempered, with a soft eye, and sociable (watch him with his pony on the way to work), he is so obviously a gelding (castrated--can't have kids) and geldings don't have all of those hormones surging through their bloodstream this time of year. When I saw the overhead shot of his Derby and Preakness run, he appeared to get his belly closer to the ground than I ever thought possible. You know how hot-rod tires seem to change shape as they heat up, and become almost less-than-round? That's what his stride reminds me of.

 Even the un-informed come away with the distinct feeling that he absolutely loves what he is doing, and The Blood Horse's Steve Haskin agrees.

With a smooth and efficient stride, (giving the appearance that his hooves were just barely contacting the ground at Pimlico) he looked like a horse who knows and enjoys his job. Forget about pedigrees, prep races, company lines and all the rest. .  . because all of those angles and numbers and track stats can't predict when a horse will burst from the shadows and become part of a drama that will be remembered for decades to come.