7/5/2020

  2   PRM     The PRM Cornhusker Hcp (GIII)
  $300.000              3yo&Up                 1 1/8m  Dirt                   Handicap Weights

Is there a better feeling than tagging a horse for a “cheap” price and then winning a big race with that horse??    Well Nolespan Racing pulled the hostile takeover on Mintmach three races back for just $10.500… since then he’s won the Alysheba (GII) and now The PRM Cornhusker (GIII), the latter coming on Sunday vs. a nice field of horses, but his tactical speed and ability to go on was the key yet again, winning by a length in a final time of 1:473 for the mile and an eighth distance.  My top choices ran second and third with Dastardly Havoc taking the second spot for Maxmillon Farm and Devilish Details a length behind that one in third for Mb Stables. 

The field loaded quickly, the gates sprung open and we were away with no lack of speed today… Mintmach with a short lead, Niagara Chief, Devilish Details and Hollywood Assembly from the outside, Warrior Class, Dastardly Havoc and Intervention from the inside.

Around the clubhouse turn and on to the back stretch, they had five and a half furlongs to run and Hollywood Assembly was now in front by a half-length, Niagara Chief applying the pressure, a gap of two back to Mintmach caught three wide, Dastardly Havoc and Intervention to his inside, then three-quarters of a length back to Warrior Class and Devilish Details was at the rear, five lengths covered the field.

Down the backside and now into the far turn with three furlongs to run and the field was bunching up yet again…  Niagara Chief had a head in front, Hollywood Assembly on the rail, Mintmach now moving up on the outside to make it three across the track, a length and a half back to Dastardly havoc, Intervention to his inside, another length back to Warrior Class and Devilish Details still trailed, but only three lengths from front to back.

Now into the lane and nearing the furlong marker, Mintmach was widest of all and now in front by three-quarters of a length.  Dastardly Havoc on his inside and trying to find more, back to the rail for Niagara Chief and Intervention next to that one, another length to Warrior Class, Devilish Details on his outside and Hollywood Assembly on the rail.

Deep stretch and to the finish,  Mintmach in front by a length, Dastardly Havoc trying to find more but it just wasn’t there as Mintmach went under the wire in front by a length.  Dastardly Havoce second, Devilish Details closed a late gap to grab third, Intervention fourth, Warrior Class was fifth, Niagara Chief tiring to sixth and Hollywood Assembly closed this one out. 

Mintmach is a 4yo bay gelding by Mint Slicer – Pink Mach, by Level Headed Mach.  He was bred in WV by Australia Racing and again was claimed by his current connections, Nolespan Racing.  This was his fifth win from sixteen starts and he now shows earnings of $449.740. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast            Time: :46⁴  1:10³  1:35   1:47³
$1 Exacta: 4 – 2 Paid 39.20      $1 Trifecta: 4 – 2 – 7 Paid 90.00
Scratched: None

Mintmach broke fastest of all, settled into the clubhouse turn while tracking the leader, up to take over into the stretch while drifting out, won driving.  Dastardly Havoc settled mid-pack to the top of the lane where he moved forward just inside the leader, finished well while no threat to the winner.  Devilish Details taken well off of the pace, steady gain through the lane, best foot too late.  Intervention even effort.  Warrior Class was not a threat.  Niagara Chief broke alertly, pressed the pace, folded.  Hollywood Assembly broke well, moved up into the clubhouse turn to wrestle the lead, ceded, nothing left. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES