Mineshaft Stakes – Grade 3 – $250.000

FG – 1 1/16 Mile – Dirt

For Four Year Olds and Upward

February 18, 2023

1 Speter (Nakamura Stables) Won in allowance company last out. Last win before that came in the PRM Cornhusker Handicap (G3) in July. Working very well and hoping to get back to form in this, his 2023 debut.

2 Ghost Of Scotland (Serenity Stables) Won the Grade 3 Autumn at WO two back. Couldn’t handle the wet track last out, but with a little luck and good weather, he should be a real contender in this one.

3 Ricki Tikki Tavi (La Canada Racehorses) This five-year-old has been on the board five of seven starts since May, including a win in the Grade 3 Native Diver two back and a second in the Kelso Handicap (Grade 2). Won his 2023 debut in allowance company. Working extremely well.

4 Lost In Richmond (Angelos Stable) Won the SSM Classic against FL-breds last out in his 2023 debut. A six-year-old gelding still going strong, but he may be a bit outclassed here.

5 Champion In Action (Night Rider Stables) After finishing second in the Grade 3 Iselin Stakes at MTH, this eight-year-old won the Grade 2 Lukas Classic. Last start came in the BC Classic where he finished eighth. If the layoff doesn’t affect his condition, he could be there at the wire.

6 Ocean Of Wisdom (Nakamura Stables) Last year’s BEL winner, won the Grade 3 Durham Cup Stakes at WO in October, but found the competition too stiff in highest levels. Should benefit from the slight drop in class, and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.

7 Boogaloo (London Racing) Last win came in an allowance at AQU in October. Finished third just a length back in the Grade 3 Harlan last out and earned a 100 SRF in the effort. Working well and looks ready to run, but the competition is tough.

8 Pluckzy (Gdp Inc) Comes in off a win in optional claiming company last out. Otherwise, hasn’t done much since finishing third in last year’s BEL. Will take a big effort to get part of this purse.

9 Proxy (D J C Racing Stables) No worse than third since July. But most of those were in state-bred or allowance company. Works are strong. Taking a wait and see approach with this one.

10 Strange Magic (TwinTowersRacing)  Won the Dominion Day Stakes (Grade 3) at WO in July. Hasn’t hit the board in his four subsequent starts in graded company. Looks a bit outclassed in this field.

11 Brave Freedom (Nakamura Stables) Nakamura has three in this field, and this one might be best of all. Won the LA Stakes (Grade 3) last out. Except for a poor performance in the Clark (Grade 1), He has looked strong all fall and winter with wins in the Premiers (Grade 3), where he set a new track record, and the CA-bred Prince of Wales Stakes, and a third in the Autumn (Grade 2). Looks like the one to beat.

Picks: 11-3-5

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