1751 Gentilly Blvd.,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com
NATES MINESHAFT NAMED HORSE OF THE MEET
· Napravnik, Asmussen, Moss Repeat as Leading Horsemen
NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, April 5, 2012) – Windy Hill Farms’ Nates Mineshaft, winner of the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (Gr. II) and the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (Gr. III), was named Horse of the Meet for the recently concluded 140th Thoroughbred Racing Season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
“He likes this track,” trainer Austin Smith said following the New Orleans Handicap. “When I first got him, I didn’t train him hard. A lot of work has been done on him and he’s really changed a lot. I’m happy for the horse. He’s turned into a monster since he’s been down here.”
Horse of the Meet and divisional honors were determined by a vote of media and racing officials.
The races for leading jockey, trainer and owner were all decided in advance of closing weekend and those horsemen all led the standings last season, too.
Steve Asmussen won 54 races to earn his record 11th leading trainer title, breaking a tie with Fair Grounds’ all-time leading trainer,
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Rosie Napravnik ran away with her second consecutive leading jockey title, compiling 111 wins, 32 more than runner-up James Graham with 79.
“May or may not be here next year and if that’s the case that I am not here I am sure going to miss this place,” Napravnik said. “I really love it at the Fair Grounds and I love
Maggi Moss took home her second consecutive leading owner title with 18 wins, three more than Asmussen, who finished with 15.
“I sure wanted it but I don’t ever have any expectations,” Moss said. “This is my favorite racetrack. I love this town, I love this track and this is the one I wanted the most.”
140th Thoroughbred Racing Season Honors
Horse of the Meet: Windy Hill Farms’ Nates Mineshaft
Leading Jockey: Rosie Napravnik
Leading Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Leading Owner: Maggi Moss
Older Horse of the Meet: Windy Hill Farms’ Nates Mineshaft
Older Female of the Meet: Fox Hill Farms’ Havre de Grace
Turf Horse of the Meet: Andrews T and S Racing’s Mr. Vegas
Turf Female of the Meet: James M. Miller’s Daisy Devine
Sprinter of the Meet: Brittlyn Stable’s Gantry
Three-Year-Old Male of the Meet: Raut LLC’s Hero of Order
Three-Year-Old Filly of the Meet: Brereton C. Jones’ Believe You Can
Older Louisiana-bred of the Meet: Brittlyn Stable’s Star Guitar
Three-Year-Old Louisiana-bred of the Meet: Hooties Racing’s Look At the Time
Claimer of the Meet: Keith Plaisance’s
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in
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James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
1751 Gentilly Boulevard,
504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]
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