Fair Grounds: How to bet the 2023 Mineshaft Stakes

A well-matched field of nine will go postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Mineshaft S. (G3) at Fair Grounds. The 1 1/16-mile contest on the main oval lacks an abundance of early speed and I will give the slight edge to a contender that I expect to be in the mix from the opening bell.

The Todd Pletcher-trained #7 Pioneer of Medina (9-2) has good local experience and will make his 2023 debut in this difficult spot for a fine layoff conditioner. By Pioneerof the Nile, the colt was not especially consistent last campaign but he did earn a career-topping 101 Brisnet Speed figure in his sophomore finale at Gulfstream Park.

Pioneer of Medina was bred to improve with experience, as well as extended trips, and he is perfectly spotted for this endeavor, in my opinion. The Kentucky-bred, who led early before finishing a game second in the Harlan’s Holiday S. (G3) most recently, has the pace to be forcing the issue from the break while always in the clear from his post slot. He is Grade-2 placed on the course and will benefit from having Luis Saez in the silks once again.

#6 Happy American has registered a pair of fast-closing wins in succession at the meeting and has never been better for trainer Neil Pessin. The Runhappy five-year-old made a huge run into a very soft pace to annex the Louisiana S. (G3) on the oval in his latest offering, and the $385,000 purchase looks like a top-three must use to me with regular rider James Graham in the stirrups. The bay will take back early and make one run in the stretch.

The Brad Cox-trained #3 Tawny Port (4-1) picked up a pair of Grade 3 victories last campaign and makes a lot of sense in his four-year-old debut off the bench. By Pioneerof the Nile, the bay colt was a winner in his lone attempt at the voyage at three, and he has trained quite well in advance of Saturday. The Peachtree Stable color bearer possesses a measure of positional speed and will get the jump on the deeper closing types in the field with Florent Geroux riding.

#8 Mr. Wireless (5-1), from the barn of Bret Calhoun, has been runner-up to Happy American in two straight and is a very logical inclusion for the gimmicks due to his overall consistency. The Dialed In gelding has won or placed in five of his last six races dating back to July, and the five-year-old will be well placed as the field approaches the turn for home. DeShawn Parker has the assignment.

Mineshaft Wagers

• $10 win and place: #7 Pioneer of Medina ($20)
• $3 exacta: key 7 with 3, 6, 8 ($18)
• 50-cent trifecta: key 7 with 3, 6, 8 with all ($10.50)