Mineshaft Stakes

The Mineshaft Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older run over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt in mid-February at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event currently offers a purse of $250,000.

Mineshaft Stakes
Grade III race
LocationFair Grounds Race Course
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Inaugurated1973 (as Whirlaway Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteFair Grounds
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and older
Weight124 lbs with allowances
Purse$250,000 (2022)

History

The event was inaugurated on 18 February 1973 as the Whirlaway Handicap, a handicap event for three-year-olds and older over a distance of one mile and forty years and was won by the five-year-old Guitar Player who was ridden by Leroy Moyers in a time of 1:412⁄5.[1] The event was named in honor of Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown of Horse Racing winner in 1941.

The event became a preparatory race for the Louisiana Handicap and New Orleans Handicap which were held later in the Fair Ground meeting. The first four winners of the event went on and won the Louisiana Handicap. Most notable of these winners was the 1975 Preakness Stakes winner Master Derby who won the event as a short 2/5 odds-on favorite scoring by eight lengths.[2] Master Derby went on to sweep the Louisiana Handicap and New Orleans Handicap.

The event was run in two divisions in 1975 and the winners were both trained and owned in part by Louie J. Roussel III. In 1985 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄16 miles.[3]

The event was not held between 1986 and 1991.[4]

The event was upgraded to Grade III status in 2003.[5]

In 2005 the event was renamed for Hall of Fame inductee Mineshaft, who finished second in the 2003 running to Balto Star.[6] Although Mineshaft was defeated in this event his record of wins that year including the New Orleans Handicap earned him the title American Horse of the Year and U.S. Champion Older Male Horse. His son Nates Mineshaft won this event in 2012.[4]

The event continues to be a major prep for the New Orleans Handicap.[7]

In 2020 the conditions of the event were changed from a handicap, to a stakes race with allowance weight conditions.

Records

Speed record:

  • 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:42.01 – Olympiad (2022) (New Track Record)

Margins:

Most wins:

  • 2 - Silver Dust (2019, 2020)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Whirlaway/Mineshaft – Louisiana Stakes double:

  • Guitar Player (1973), Tom Tulle (1974), Hearts of Lettuce (1975), Master Derby (1976), Bucks Nephew (1996)

Whirlaway/Mineshaft – New Orleans Handicap double:

  • Master Derby (1976), Precocity (1999), Include (2001), Master Command (2007), Nates Mineshaft (2012), Honorable Duty (2017), Olympiad (2022)

Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Mineshaft Stakes
2023 Pioneer of Medina 4 Luis Saez Todd A. Pletcher Sumaya U.S. Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.59 $250,000 III [8]
2022 Olympiad 4 Junior Alvarado William I. Mott Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable & LNJ Foxwoods 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.01 $247,500 III [9]
2021 Maxfield 4 Florent Geroux Brendan Walsh Godolphin Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.67 $200,000 III [10]
2020 Silver Dust 6 Brian Hernandez Jr. W. Bret Calhoun Tom R. Durant 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.40 $200,000 III [11]
Mineshaft Handicap
2019 Silver Dust 5 Jack Gilligan W. Bret Calhoun Tom R. Durant 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.46 $150,000 III [12]
2018 The Player 5 Calvin H. Borel William B. Bradley William B. Bradley & Carl Hurst 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.29 $147,000 III [13]
2017 Honorable Duty 5 Julien R. Leparoux Brendan P. Walsh DARRS 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.03 $122,500 III [14]
2016 Majestic Harbor 8 Corey J. Lanerie Paul J. McGee Gallant Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.86 $125,000 III [15]
2015 Street Babe 4 Kerwin D. Clark Michael Dilger Anstu Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.58 $125,000 III [16]
2014 Bradester 4 Rosie Napravnik Eddie Kenneally Joseph W. Sutton 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.80 $150,000 III [17]
2013 Mark Valeski 4 Rosie Napravnik J. Larry Jones Brereton C. Jones 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.82 $148,500 III [18]
2012 Nates Mineshaft 5 Jesse M. Campbell Austin K. Smith Windy Hill Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.01 $120,000 III [19]
2011 Demarcation 7 Rosie Napravnik Paul J. McGee Amerman Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.45 $121,250 III [20]
2010 Stonehouse 6 Miguel Mena Joseph E. Broussard Richard Rudolph & Michael Vranich 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.09 $96,000 III [21]
2009 Honest Man 5 Gabriel Saez J. Larry Jones Fox Hill Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.16 $125,000 III [22]
2008 Grasshopper 4 Robby Albarado Neil J. Howard William S. Farish III, Edward J. Hudson, Jr. & Estate of James A. Elkins 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.46 $147,000 III [23]
2007 Master Command 5 John R. Velazquez Michael W. McCarthy Aaron U. & Marie D. Jones 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.28 $194,000 III [24]
2006 ‡Race not held
2005 Wanderin Boy 4 Larry Melancon Nicholas P. Zito Arthur B. Hancock III 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.08 $100,000 III [25]
Whirlaway Handicap
2004 Olmodavor 5 Corey J. Lanerie Richard E. Mandella Wertheimer et Frere 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.59 $100,000 III [26]
2003 Balto Star 5 Eddie Martin Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Anstu Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.74 $125,000 III [27]
2002 Valhol 6 Robby Albarado Dallas E. Keen James D. Jackson 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.94 $125,000 Listed [28]
2001 Include 4 Lonnie Meche Bud Delp Robert Meyerhoff 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.01 $125,000 Listed [29]
2000 Take Note of Me 6 Robby Albarado Gene A. Cilio Steve Holland & Estate of Barry Shipp 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.94 $125,000 Listed [30]
1999 Precocity 5 Eddie Martin Jr. Bobby C. Barnett John A. Franks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.42 $125,000 Listed [31]
1998 Moonlight Dancer 6 Curt C. Bourque Albert Stall Jr. Columbine Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.34 $125,000 Listed [32]
1997 Byars 6 Curt C. Bourque Bobby C. Barnett John A. Franks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.47 $100,000 Listed [33]
1996 Bucks Nephew 6 Craig Perret P. Noel Hickey Irish Acres Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.40 $63,375 Listed [34]
1995 Adhocracy 5 Larry Melancon Niall M. O'Callaghan Centaur Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.10 $52,550 Listed [35]
1994 Cool Quaker 5 Eddie Martin Jr. Louie J. Roussel III Louie J. Roussel III 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.55 $51,674 Listed [36]
1993 West by West 4 Jean-Luc Samyn George R. Arnold II John H. Peace 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.80 $31,475 [37]
1992 Irish Swap 5 Bruce Edwin Poyadou Joseph E. Broussard Randall Hendricks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.00 $31,625 [38]
1986–1991 Race not held
1985 Rapid Gray 6 Randy Romero William I. Mott William F. Lucas 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.00 $25,000 [39]
1982–1984 Race not held
1981 Occasionally Monday 4 Angelo Trosclair Jose A. Martin Randolph Weinsier 1 mile & 40 yards 1:40.40 $25,000 [40]
1980 Weather Tamer 4 Pat Day Clifford Scott Avers Wexler 1 mile & 40 yards 1:42.60 $25,000 [41]
1979 Prince Majestic 4 Eddie Delahoussaye Dewey P. Smith Dorothy Dorset Brown 1 mile & 40 yards 1:40.20 $25,000 [42]
1978 †Race not held
1977 Cylinder 4 Ray Sibille Larry Robideaux Jr. Greenbrier Stable 1 mile & 40 yards 1:39.60 $25,000 [43]
1976 Master Derby 4 Darrel McHargue William E. Adams Golden Chance Farm 1 mile & 40 yards 1:38.80 $25,000 [2]
1975 Burglar Alarm 5 Phil Rubbicco Louie J. Roussel III Louie J. Roussel III & Wilson Abraham 1 mile & 40 yards 1:39.20 $17,500 Division 1[44]
Hearts of Lettuce 5 Allen LeBlanc Louie J. Roussel III Robert Azar 1:38.80 $17,500 Division 2[45]
1974 Tom Tulle 4 Craig Perret Jere R. Smith W. Arthur Lofton 1 mile & 40 yards 1:38.80 $20,000 [46]
1973 Guitar Player 5 A. Leroy Moyers Jr. Jack Van Berg M. H. Van Berg Stable 1 mile & 40 yards 1:41.40 $20,000 [1]

Notes:
† The 1978 renewal of the Whirlaway Handicap was cancelled after several trainers removed their horses from the entry list and there were insufficient runners to hold the event.[47]
† The 2006 renewal of the Mineshaft Handicap was not scheduled due to the shortened Fair Grounds meeting being transferred to Louisiana Downs with continuing after effects of Hurricane Katrina which damaged the racetrack.[48]

See also

References
  1. "Fair Grounds Results – (race 9: held 18 February 1973)". Cincinnati Enquirer. The Associated Press. 19 February 1973. p. 29. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  2. "Master Derby Romps to Win – (race 9: held 7 February 1976)". The Tennessean. The Associated Press. 8 February 1976. p. 61. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  3. "MINESHAFT HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  4. "Stakes profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  5. "Graded Stakes for 2003". www.horse-races.net. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. "No Denying Grasshopper in Mineshaft". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. "Pants on Fire, Nehro back on LA Derby Preview undercard". Brisnet. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. "2023 Mineshaft Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  9. "2022 Mineshaft Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  10. "2021 Mineshaft Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  11. "2020 Mineshaft Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  12. "2019 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  13. "2018 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  14. "2017 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  15. "2016 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  16. "2015 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  17. "2014 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  18. "2013 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  19. "2012 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  20. "2011 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  21. "2010 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  22. "2009 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  23. "2008 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  24. "2007 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  25. "2005 Mineshaft Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  26. "2004 Whirlaway Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 1 February 2004. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  27. "2003 Whirlaway Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 February 2003. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  28. "2002 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 February 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  29. "2001 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 February 2001. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  30. "2000 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 February 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  31. "1999 Whirlaway Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 February 1999. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  32. "1998 Whirlaway Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 February 1998. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  33. "1997 Whirlaway Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 1997. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  34. "1996 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 February 1996. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  35. "1995 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 February 1995. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  36. "1994 Whirlaway Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 27 February 1994. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  37. "1993 Whirlaway Handicap Black Type - (race 10)". Equibase. 28 February 1993. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  38. "1992 Whirlaway Stakes Black Type - (race 10)". Equibase. 29 February 1992. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  39. "At Fair Grounds – (race 10: held 27 January 1985)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 28 January 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  40. "Fair Grounds Results – (race 8: held 8 February 1981)". Miami Herald. The Associated Press. 9 February 1981. p. 98. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  41. "Weather Tamer stops rain – (race 8: held 9 February 1980)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 10 February 1980. p. 57. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  42. "Plane Sets Down At Fair Grounds; Pictureesque Wins – (race 9: held 10 February 1977)". Miami Herald. The Associated Press. 11 February 1977. p. 60. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  43. "FAIRGROUNDS – (race 9: held 6 February 1977)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 7 February 1977. p. 57. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  44. "Close Finishes at Orleans – (race 8: held 22 February 1975)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 23 February 1975. p. 50. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  45. "At Fair Grounds – (race 9: held 22 February 1975)". Lexington Leader. The Associated Press. 23 February 1975. p. 24. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  46. "Tom Tulle wins Fair Grounds – (race 9: held 17 February 1974)". Miami News. The Associated Press. 18 February 1974. p. 8. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  47. "Fair Grounds". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 12 February 1978. p. 50. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  48. "Churchill, Horsemen Agree on 37-Day Meet in Louisiana". BloodHorse.com. Churchill Downs Inc. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
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