The 17th Running of the G3 Mineshaft Stakes
February 19, 2022 15:40
FG Race #9 $250.000
11/16 Dirt 4yo+ 123 Lbs
Stakes/Track Record-1:39.97 (Phuneios-2013)
It was double the fun as Milford Sound and Saturday Khartoum could not be separated at the wire after 8.5-furlongs in the $250.000 G3 Mineshaft at FG. Milford Sound now stands at 30-13-0-4 with earnings of $747.420 while Saturday Khartoum sports a 37-11-3-6 record with $1296.810 in earnings.
The winners sat different trips as Kick Rocks set the early tempo; Milford Sound was tracking from the second flight on the rail while Saturday Khartoum raced in the two-path among the third flight the first time past the wire. As the field entered the backstretch, Milford Sound was still on the rail, three lengths off of Kick Rock’s :23.64 opening quarter while Saturday Khartoum was another length back and racing in the four-path. The winners’ situations remained the same down the backstretch as Kick Rocks covered four furlongs in :47.23.
Business picked-up for the winners as the field entered the turn. Milford Sound tipped off of the rail and that shifted Saturday Khartoum just another shade wider. At the top of the lane, there was a line of four horses vying for the lead as Akkadian put his nose in front. Milford Sound had clear run in the same line as he raced between Kick Rocks and Eclipse My Knowledge. Saturday Khartoum was trying to make it a line of five across the track as he moved within a length of the leader as they covered six furlongs in 1:10.79.
Midway through the stretch run, Milford Sound struck the front, but Saturday Khartoum was continuing his rally from far out in the track. With a furlong to go, Milford Sound had a half-length advantage and Saturday Khartoum was desperately trying to close the gap. The two winners were not alone; however, as Eclipse My Knowledge raced on almost even terms between those two and Crack Dab was on the outside of the four-horse line. Jointly reaching the wire in 1:40.96, the two winners finished as one while Crack Dab nosed Eclipse My Knowledge for show honors with a half-length covering the top four finishers. Completing the order of finish were Red Divos Alliance, Akkadian, Kick Rocks, Contradiction, Charleys Latte, and Set In Space.
It was a tremendous horse race and neither of the two winners deserved to lose. Congratulations to Milford Sound/Mwn Racing and Saturday Khartoum/Rousee on their joint victory in the G3 Mineshaft at FG!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
