(NTRA release)

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will make his first start since his third-place finish in the June 6 Belmont Stakes when the gelded son of Birdstone takes on five rivals in the Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby to be run at a mile and an eighth on the dirt at Mountaineer Park in Chester, W.V. Mike Smith, who rode Mine That Bird to a second-place finish behind Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, will once again have the riding assignment.

The deep closing Mine That Bird has been installed as the 3-5 morning line favorite for the West Virginia Derby, but victory for him is anything but a foregone conclusion. Under the allowance conditions of the race, Mine That Bird will carry 122 lbs., and will spot his foes 9-11 lbs. And one of those opponents who will carry just 111 lbs. is the speedy and talented Big Drama who was fifth in the 1 3-16 miles Preakness, beaten just 4 ½ lengths by Mine That Bird despite carrying equal weight and engaging in a tough, front-end tussle with eventual winner Rachel Alexandra. Last time out, Big Drama captured the $250,000 Red Legend Stakes by a widening seven lengths over a shorter, seven-furlong distance at Charles Town.

Mine That Bird’s trainer, Chip Woolley, has proclaimed his horse “dead-ready” for Saturday’s test. But he admits concern over the possible lack of early speed in the race other than Big Drama.

“It’s a big concern any time you get in a situation like that,” said Woolley. “He’s the primary speed horse in the race. If he bounces away from there and gets a free lead, it’s going to be harder to run him down. So it’s definitely a concern and we’ll just have to see how it shapes up.”

The West Virginia Derby will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (EDT). TVG will also air the race live. Scheduled post time for the West Virginia Derby is slated for 5:45 p.m. (EDT)