Mineshaft, 2003 Horse of the Year in Thoroughbred racing circles, presently may not look capable of catching the prolific Smart Strike, by Mr. Prospector, in producing stakes winning progeny, but neither did the A.P. Indy son look like a future Horse of the Year in 2002 at the age of three.
In England at age three, Mineshaft managed just one win from six starts; then in France, he ran unplaced in one effort. Trainer John Gosden remained convinced of Mineshaft's talent and sent the strapping 16-hander to the United States' tracks.
Mineshaft liked America. He won twice, once at Churchill Downs (Kentucky) in November and again at Fair Grounds (Louisiana) in December. Then came his award-winning campaign of 2003.
In 2011, Smart Strike's progency crossed paths with that of Mineshaft. Smart Strike son Dominus created a carbon copy of his name, dominating the Dwyer Stakes (G2) in a 1-3/4 lengths score. Mineshaft's Fly Down won the same stakes race last season.
Mineshaft Versus Smart Strike At the Track
Mineshaft outdid Smart Strike as a racer, in 2003 capturing wins in the Diplomat Way Handicap, the New Orleans Handicap (G2), Ben Ali Stakes (G3), Pimlico Special Handicap (G1), Suburban Handicap (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1), and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), while finishing second in the Whirlaway Handicap (G3) and the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), prior to his selection as Horse of the Year.
In total, Mineshaft won nine of 11 consecutive posts on a dirt surface after coming to the United States and placed second in the other two starts.
Smart Strike won the Philip H. Iselin Handicap (G1) and the Salvator Mile Handicap (G3) in two years of racing that included six wins in all, from eight starts. His career winnings were $337,376.
Mineshaft Versus Smart Strike In the Breeding Shed
Smart Strike has had the last laugh thus far in Horse of the Year honors, having sired Curlin, who twice won Horse of the Year (2007, 2008) and is currently North America's top all time earner on the track with over $10 Million bankrolled.
In 1992, Smart Strike was foaled by Sherriff's Deputy (by Deputy Minister). While Smart Strike has sired 76 stakes winners (and counting), Mineshaft's third crop last year shined in big races with Discreetly Mine and Fly Down taking the majority of the honors.
Fly Down ran second in the Belmont Stakes to Drosselmeyer, then placed in the Travers Stakes (G1), the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. Fly Down has passed the $1 Million mark in career earnings.
Discreetly Mine gave Mineshaft his first Grade 1 winner when he scored in the 2010 Risen Star Stakes.
In 2011, Mineshaft's Dialed In was a favorite in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and the Florida Derby (G1). His career earnings stand at $939,206.
While the 2008 racing season in America basically belonged to money title seeker Curlin and Triple Crown threat Big Brown, it was Mineshaft's Casino Drive who was to pose the biggest threat to Big Brown's throne. An injury sidelined Casino Drive from fulfilling his potential, but he earned $904,575 and won the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) while slating four wins from 11 starts campaigning for Japanese owners.
With Mineshaft's stakes winners now at 20 (and counting), he and Smart Strike are among America's top ten sires.
Sources:
- The Thoroughbred Times, July 16, 2011, "Mineshaft digs out of a hole", by John P. Sparkman
- The Blood-Horse magazine, October 4, 2008/No.48, "Money Man", by Steve Haskin; also p.4832, "Stakes Winners"
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
