Panhandle Native Trains Derby Winner

This was a pretty exciting Kentucky Derby for Texas Panhandle residents. That's because Chip Woolley, who was born in Dalhart and went to college here in Amarillo, had a horse he has been training entered in the Derby.

Woolley has been training horses for 25 years -- most of them Quarter Horses. But for the last year and a half, he has been training some Thoroughbreds. One of them is a 50-1 shot in this year's Kentucky Derby. That horse is named Mine That Bird, and he's owned by Roswell (New Mexico) native Mark Allen. Woolley (on the left) and Allen are pictured above.

Nobody expected Mine That Bird to really be a contender, but before the race Woolley said, "We are definitely a long shot. But our workouts have been super, and you can't ask much more out of a horse. All I'm hoping for is he goes out and lays it on the line and has his best race."

Well, he did! Mine That Bird surprised everyone. He worked his way out of the middle of the pack to win the Derby by nearly seven lengths. Great job Chip and Mark! Panhandle and Eastern New Mexico fans are proud of the great feat you have accomplished.