1751 Gentilly Blvd.,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com
Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255,
NATES MINESHAFT DOMINATES NEW ORLEANS
CASINO HOST PULLS OFF MILD MUNIZ UPSET;
star guitar sets new la-bred earnings record
NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, April 01, 2012) – Windy Hill Farms’ Nates Mineshaft dominated what was billed as one of the deepest renewals of the Grade II New Orleans Handicap and beat the last two Louisiana Derby winners in the process, drawing off to a 7 1/4-length win in track record time.
Despite setting solid fractions of 23.21 and 46.86 in the 1 1/8-mile race, Nates Mineshaft and jockey Jesse Campbell cruised through six furlongs in 1:11.18 while a length in front and never tired, opening up in the stretch and leaving the highly regarded field in his wake. Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ favored Mission Impazible (the 2010 Louisiana Derby and 2011 New Orleans Handicap winner) finished second, 3 ½ lengths in front of Dianne D. Cotter’s Toby’s Corner.
“When I saw 23, 46 and change and 11, I didn’t have a lot of high hopes,” winning trainer Austin Smith said. “But he loves this track. I’m happy for the horse. He’s turned into a monster since he’s been down here.”
The winner paid $20.80, $7.20 and $4, while Mission Impazible returned $2.80 and $2.40 and Toby’s Corner was worth $3.40.
Nates Mineshaft’s final time of 1:47.64 track record time of eclipsed the previous nine-furlong mark of 1:48.13 that Phantom On Tour ran in this race in 1998.
“I was a little concerned in the first turn that we were going too fast and I actually tried to take him back a little bit,” Campbell said. “He wasn’t really having it so you know how good horses are, you let them be happy and run their race.”
--Jim Mulvihill
CASINO HOST PULLS OFF MILD MUNIZ UPSET – Gary & Mary West’s Casino Host and trainer Chad Brown teamed up to win the Grade II, Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap at odds of 11-1 as the three wagering favorites failed to fire in the $400,000 turf event.
After Mr. Vegas set the pace with moderate fractions, things really tightened-up around mid-stretch when Papaw Bodie took over the lead, until Casino Host found his best stride and ran down Papaw Bodie to score by a half-length in the 1 1/8-mile affair.
“I talked to
The winning son of Dynaformer is a bit of a globetrotter, having started at seven different racetracks dating back to November 2010. After a few solid efforts in graded stakes company last year, the 4-year-old broke through on Saturday, paying $23.80, $13.20 and $6.60.
Connie Apostelos’ Papaw Bodie held second and paid $10.80 and $4.80. Henry E. Pabst Trust’s Joinem, another longshot, finished third paying $9.60. The final time was 1:50.87 over the course labeled “good.”
The post-time favorite, Slow Pace, finished fifth after threatening around the far turn. Last year’s winner Smart Bid never fired and finished seventh.
--Travis Stone
STAR GUITAR SETS NEW LA-BRED EARNINGS MARK – Brittlyn Stable’s Star Guitar became the highest-earning Louisiana-bred in history with a gutsy win over Klaravich Stables’ Populist Politics in the Southern Oaks Plantation Costa Rising Stakes. The $90,000 event was guaranteed to push the son of Quiet American over the previous record holder Happy Ticket provided he won.
For much of the race, Star Guitar looked up against it as String King set moderate fractions with a loose lead. In the stretch, Populist Politics took over from String King but was unable to fend-off Star Guitar who dug-in for the narrow win. Robert Orth & Wes Hawley’s Get In Da House made a rally on the outside to grab third while String King faded to fourth.
“He’s a type of horse that gives you a lot of confidence going into a race,” said winning trainer Al Stall Jr. “Honestly, I was a little worried going into the turn he looked like he had to get him to run a little bit which is unusual. I would have to say he ran his ‘B’ race or so but he’s just that kind of horse. He just overcomes the weight he is carrying, the wide trip. That’s Star Guitar. That’s why he is who he is.”
The win was the 10th at Fair Grounds for Star Guitar and his 23rd overall from just 28 career starts. Corey Lanerie was along for the ride.
“You know, breaking from the outside he broke a little sharp and he went wider around the first than I expected,” Lanerie said. “I thought I was on the best horse. I tried to keep him out of trouble and I rode with a touch too much confidence today. They made us run down the lane and work. He proved that he’s the best and that he is going to get it done.”
Star Guitar paid $3.20, $2.80 and $2.10. Populist Politics paid $4.60 and $2.40. Get In A Da House paid $2.20 for the show. The final time was 1:44.01.
“I must say that there’s no owner that could actually imagine that this happening to them,” said owner Evelyn Benoit. “He’s simply the best and today we get to say he proved it. He deserves it. I’m thrilled. I love
--Travis Stone
KISSIMMEE KYLE TAKES BAYOU ST. JOHN – In The final stakes race of the day, and of the 140th Thoroughrbed Racing Season, Red Oak Stable’s Kissimmee Kyle drew off for an easy 3 ¼-length win in the $60,000 Bayou St. John Stakes for Louisiana-bred turf sprinters.
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
-FG-
___
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]
Starlight Racing with Groovy 7 March 30
Fair Grounds Oaks/Susan G. Komen "Pink Out" March 31
www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com/Media
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
