'Bird's surgery 'smooth as silk'

Good news Wednesday from the Mine That Bird camp; the Kentucky Derby winner's surgery for an entrapped epiglottis was called "smooth as silk" by trainer Chip Woolley.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Patricia Hogan at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center. Mine That Bird isn't even expected to miss his next start, scheduled to be in the $1 million Travers S.-G1 at Saratoga on Aug. 29.

Hogan called the horse "a wonderful patient" and said the procedure only took "about 15 seconds."

Woolley -- as is his way -- took it upon himself to drive Mine That Bird to the hospital, which across the street from Belmont Park in greater New York City.